Dear Fathers, Friends in Christ,
Isaiah 7:10-14; 8:10
Psalm 40:7-8a, 8b-9, 10, 11
Hebrew 10:4-10
Luke 1:26-38
Today, we celebrate the Feast of the Annunciation, where the Blessed Mother of our Lord receives the mysterious news that she is to give birth to the Messiah, although she is a virgin. This would certainly be shocking news to anyone as it surely was to Mary. But look at the way she received that news:
"Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord.
May it be done to me according to your word."
Then the angel departed from her.
Wow! No complaining, no questioning, no whining--only perfect submission to God. It's no wonder she was chosen from among all women to bring the Son of the Most High God into this world.
This is an example to all of us. Since God is perfect, infallible and the creator of all things, it is only right we accept what He wants from us without complaining. When God asks something of us, it is not our place to ask why or "why me?" It is only our duty to submit and admit we are nothing but servants of His will, and that only His will be done.
"Too hard!" you say? Perhaps, but we have a helper in the Holy Spirit. So when you find yourself in a position that you know God brought you to--a position that makes you uncomfortable, in pain, under persecution or the like, then call upon the Holy Spirit for help and rejoice in the fact that you are only doing exactly what Almighty God wants of you.
Father Ed Bakker
Anglican Catholic Church/Original Province
Mission of Saint Aidan of Lindisfarne
Bendigo
Australia
