Faith brings us to witness like Mary
The Annunciation by Henry Ossawa Tanner (Wikimedia Commons)
Part 1 of 3 parts: Encounter with the Lord
Editor’s Note: This three-part series, Faith brings us to witness like Mary, is taken from Sharing Your Catholic Faith Story: Tools, Tips, and Testimonies by Nancy HC Ward. The series includes Part 1: Encounter with the Lord, Part 2:, Moved to witness and and Part 3:Our Magnificat. Enjoy!
God chose Mary as the first evangelist. She said “yes” because she trusted him. She embraced his mission for her life and brought the presence of Jesus to the world through the power of the Holy Spirit. As our model for becoming evangelists, Mary demonstrates the character traits we need: humility, obedience, authentic witness, joyful praise, and close relationship with God the Father, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit. Everything she did was a testimony of God’s love.
Mary epitomizes faith in God. She exemplifies the motivation for becoming an evangelist by demonstrating what faith is. Pope Francis may have had Mary in mind when he said, “Faith is an encounter with Jesus Christ, with God, from which faith is born, and from there it brings you to witness” (Homily, Feb. 21, 2014)..
The Virgin Mary experienced just such an encounter at the Annunciation. Her unwavering faith brought her a visit from God’s messenger and empowered her to fulfill her life’s mission to bring Jesus, our Savior, to us, as St. Luke tells us:
In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary. And he came to her and said, “Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with you!” But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and considered in her mind what sort of greeting this might be. (Luke 1:26–29)
Mary trusted God so completely that, even though Gabriel’s mysterious salutation alarmed her, she didn’t hesitate to ask him what his greeting meant. Mary’s unfailing faith inspires me to strive to know and love God so much that I trust him in sudden encounters as she did. When I face an unexpected sharp turn, can I question his messenger with the confidence of his beloved child?
Even more puzzling to Mary than the strange greeting was the news that she would give birth to the Messiah! Gabriel informs her of God’s mission for her alone, which is possible only through God.
And the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High; and the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there will be no end.” And Mary said to the angel, “How shall this be, since I have no husband?” (Luke 1:30–34)
Did you know that God has a unique mission for each of us that is possible only through him?
And the angel said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy, the Son of God.” (Luke 1:35)
Do we see examples around us of God’s power overshadowing someone and overriding logic and human efforts? Miracle stories of unheard-of healings and unbelievable sacrifices? A Polish priest, St. Maximillian Kolbe, gave his life for a family man in a German concentration camp; an expectant mother, St. Gianna Molla, died of cancer rather than abort her baby girl.
And behold, your kinswoman Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son; and this is the sixth month with her who was called barren. For with God nothing will be impossible. (Luke 1:36–37)
What a shock to Mary! Yes, even though God had prepared her for this most exalted role in his kingdom, she must have been stunned. Did Gabriel’s sudden appearance and incredible mission for her seem unreal to her?
And Mary said, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord; let it be done to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her. (Luke 1:38)
Mary said “yes,” and even though she didn’t know everything she wanted to know, she trusted God.
Next post is Part 2: Moved to Witness
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[…] Your Catholic Faith Story: Tools, Tips, and Testimonies by Nancy HC Ward. The series includes Part 1: Encounter with the Lord, Part 2:, Moved to witness and and Part 3:Our […]