"Ave Maria"

Tuesday, March 25, 2014

The reflection book is back on form today with the Annunciation.  As if to address what I wrote (somewhat wildly and randomly) yesterday, the reflection book points out Mary's odd position of knowing and yet not knowing -- not knowing what was in store or how it would come to be even when the angel told her directly, but yet knowing that God was within her and would use her as His tool to bring about salvation for all mankind.

She knew the deeper truth.  I imagine there were days where it felt like God could have at least taken a glance at the practical details.  Perhaps he could have had Gabriel explain a little better what was in store for her and how He wanted her to navigate it.

She wasn't given a roadmap, for all she was told more specifics than most of us get.  Even Mary didn't get to know exactly what to do and how to do it and what was in store.  She knew only what I professed yesterday I have always been blessed to know -- whatever comes, God is with me.  God is within me.  God is reaching out to save me, every minute of my life.  God will use me to the extent I allow him to, and my life will be blessed to the same degree.

She knew that Grace would pour through her life.

And so do I.

The next time I whine about not knowing what I will do with my life or what God wants from me, I hope I have the grace to remember that not even Mary knew all of that.  She knew only what the Gift of Certainty has brought me. God is with me and in me and working through me.  Come what may.

Mary, Our Mother, remind me when I threaten to forget and fall.  Help me to follow your example.