Friday, December 19, 2008

Today’s text

Luke 1:28-35, 38

He went in and said to her, 'Rejoice, you who enjoy God's favor! The Lord is with you.' She was deeply disturbed by these words and asked herself what this greeting could mean, but the angel said to her, 'Mary, do not be afraid; you have won God's favor. Look! You are to conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you must name him Jesus. He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his ancestor David; he will rule over the House of Jacob for ever and his reign will have no end.' Mary said to the angel, 'But how can this come about, since I have no knowledge of man?' The angel answered, 'The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will cover you with its shadow. And so the child will be holy and will be called Son of God.’ …Mary said, 'You see before you the Lord's servant, let it happen to me as you have said.'

Reflection

Come, Lord Jesus, be born in us today.

Mary finds your favor, and soon she bears you, the holy child, into an unholy world. This is your way among us.

Your great grace extends holy favor on we who struggle along, trying to find a way to live, truly live. And soon you would birth in us, to us and through us that which is holy, born of your will and substance, not of our making.

But for one thing: Like Mary, we must offer some consent, some surrender, some willingness to bear the child, the fresh creation born of your favor resting upon us.

Little wonder that Mary feared and questioned. She is like us after all: human, possessing little understanding of the mysteries of how you make human life new, restoring your blessed image to the glory you intend.

But it doesn’t matter if we understand. All you seek is our ‘yes.’ All you want is our surrender, ‘May it be with me, Lord, as you wish.’

In that simplicity lies our joy--and yours. You have privileged me to see and feel that joy, such as one man can. But by your grace, in exquisite moments, I know and see that joy that our consent to your desire awakens at your divine heart.

Is it sacrilege to speak of you with such familiarity? If so, forgive me. I know that I know nothing of you, not really. Who can? You imprison the stars in your embrace; you mysteriously dwell in and among all that is, seeking your holy purpose.

How can anyone pretend to plumb your heart? How can any claim to comprehend anything about you? Except, of course, you show your ways among and in us. And when receive this, you awaken in us a joy that is not only ours, but a share in your own.

You smile, Loving One, as Mary bows and consents to your messenger. And the Holy One is born to show your face amid an unholy world. I live in the warmth of your smile.

So let it be to me as you will. Your will is my one good.

Come, Lord Jesus. Be born in me

Pr. David L. Miller