By Madeline McKissick , Franciscan Mission Service
Then the angel said to her , " Do not be afraid , Mary , for you have found favor with God .” ( Luke 1:26-38 )
We long to know God ’ s plan for our lives . We dream of the day when God reveals his plan to us , romanticizing the dramatic call and our brave “ yes .” These dreams come from our desires to be chosen and wanted . We need to know that we have a purpose , and we ’ re anxious to find out what it is .
Even before the Annunciation , Mary knew that God had a plan for her . In her patience and gentleness , Mary trusted in the Lord ’ s perfect timing . She probably never expected that he would reveal his will through an angel , and she probably never dreamed of being the Mother of God . Regardless , Mary didn ’ t just say yes , she said “ let it be done ,” or in Latin , “ fiat .” She accepted God ’ s plan for her completely , wholeheartedly , and without reserving anything .
Mary conformed her will with God ’ s will . She wanted what he wanted . When God calls us , this is how we should respond . God gave us the gift of free will so that we can say yes out of love for him . As the most perfect Saint , disciple , and missionary , Mary said yes to God in all things . She always followed his will perfectly , and we can look to her as we say yes to him in big and little ways .
Like Mary , we might be scared or confused when God asks something of us , but we can emulate our Blessed Mother by saying “ let it be done .”
When we get serious about living simply , we should downsize . My service suggestion for you this week is to donate . If you have five hoodies but only need three , then give two away . Instead of getting coffee every morning before work , donate your coffee money to a nonprofit or a charity . When we have more room for God , we also have more clarity to recognize the needs of our brothers and sisters . In our pursuit of simple living , we can meet the needs of our neighbors through noticing and fulfilling their needs .
Dear God ,
I believe that you have good and beautiful plans for my life . I trust that you have chosen me for a purpose , a mission , and a service that only I can do because you have made me unique and unrepeatable in your image and likeness . I humbly ask you to give me the grace to say yes to you . Please help me to want what you want and give me the patience to trust in your timing . In all things , let me choose you . Give me the grace to allow your will , not mine , to be done . Amen .
It ’ s difficult to hear God calling us when we ’ re preoccupied by what we own . Attachment to our possessions and wealth distracts us from God and our relationship with him . Fortunately , we can avoid this by committing to simple living . As we take on simple living and empty our lives of clutter , we have more space for God . When we ’ re feeling empty , instead of wanting more stuff , we can be like Mary and seek the Lord . This way , like our Blessed Mother , we can remain open to God so that we can listen to and be receptive of his plans for us .
Week 4 of Advent | December 20 , 2020