The Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord / Luke 1:26-38

I’ve read the Annunciation passage from Luke’s gospel several times, and I’ve meditated on this first of the Joyful Mysteries on countless occasions.  Sometimes I’ll take something different from this meditation, but usually it comes down to one phrase from the Blessed Virgin Mary, “May it be done to me according to your word.”

Our Lady’s attitude of total submission is such an inspiration.  The angel, Gabriel, has just appeared to Mary and told her that she is going to conceive a child by the power of the Holy Spirit.  Her first response is one of confusion, but in her total humility she submits herself completely to God.

So I have to ask myself, how am I living up to this example that Mary sets for us early in Luke’s gospel?  Am I discerning and then totally submitting to God’s will?

I’m often not sure what it is exactly that God wants from me, but I do know that it’s spelled out pretty clearly in the Gospel accounts.  First and foremost, I’m supposed to love God with my whole heart and love my neighbor as myself.  A quick scan through the rest of the Gospels reveals several instances when Christ says, “Blessed are they…”  Generally speaking, Jesus is pretty clear in these instances about what He’s looking for from me.

So I know what God wants from me, but sometimes I find that I’m not fully willing to give it to Him, at least not yet.  I know that God wants me to be charitable, and I’m not talking about charity just in the monetary sense.  I’m talking about true Christian love.  God isn’t asking me to have nice warm feelings for everyone in my life, but He does want me to treat them as though I did.

If I truly look at myself, I see that my response is not, “May it be done to me according to your word.”  Typically, I’m more likely to respond with, “May it be done to me according to your word, as long as it doesn’t cause me too much discomfort, and not today either because I’m really busy today.  How about tomorrow?  Can I just pray a Rosary instead?  I mean, I really want to do your will, but I’m doing pretty well already, right?  I’m kinder than a lot of people.  And I sacrifice a lot of my time, don’t I?  Today I just need some me time.  Tomorrow.  I promise.  Definitely tomorrow.”

It looks like I have some work to do.  What about you?