Daily Office Reflection: Nine Months

MP: Psalms 85, 87; Isaiah 52:7-12; Hebrews 2:5-10

EP: Psalms 110:1-5(6-7), 132; Wisdom 9:1-12; John 1:9-14

Better hurry.....only nine months of shopping days left until Christmas! Today we celebrate The Annunciation: Mary's acquiescence to being the bearer of the Christ child. I chose the word acquiescence on purpose, as Mary was not looking for this job. She didn't wave her arms up and down and shout Hey, God, impregnate me with your holy, incarnate one! No, no, Mary bowed her head and said yes, I will do this impossible seeming thing for the next nine months, risking everything. Mary's role in the life of the one she starts bearing today does not end nine months from her decision: she is with her son all the way to that hill on Calvary.

Mary's life unalterably changed with her acquiescence, and for that act, which is beyond bravery, we celebrate and honor that decision today, smack in the middle of Lent: when we are walking our own journey to that same hill. To what do we need to acquiesce in order to mimic Mary? How can we unalterably change the direction of our lives in these final weeks of Lent?

For Mary:

Forever young in our eyes,

forever earnest and true,

making decisions

that change the heart

and alter the world.

We yearn for that ability

to trust

and to love,

to put aside fear and

life as we know it.

On our walk

to that hill outside

Jerusalem,

your presence and faithfulness

are our guide.

jfd+

Copyright 2011, The Rev. John F. Dwyer. All Rights Reserved.