by Patty Rice Shuler
Looking at this work of art, “Garden of Dreams”, by Ethel Sager, I am struck by the image of hope expressed by the young woman. She reminds me of Mary, the mother of Jesus. I wonder what Mary felt after being visited by the angel Gabriel. This young woman looks serene. She is not the anxious, worried teenager I expected to find.
In Luke’s Gospel, Chapter 1:26-56 we read the account of the exchange between Gabriel and Mary. In verse 29 we find that Mary is “much perplexed”. Yet, after Gabriel explains the reason for his visit and the coming events, Mary calmly and bravely says “Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word.” (Luke 1:38)
I believe the People of God had been waiting over 400 years for the birth of the Messiah. The people believed the prophets had “stopped speaking” and we are left wondering what had happened during those years between the Old and New Testaments.
I have often wondered if Mary was the first young woman approached by Gabriel during that time. What if God had chosen several women over those years, and had sent Gabriel with the same news Mary had received. But those other women did not accept God’s Word. Perhaps they were frightened, confused, perplexed as well. But not ready to accept the responsibility of becoming the mother of the long awaited Messiah.
I wonder how often God has approached humanity with words of hope. But we could not hear them, out of fear or anxiety. Words proclaiming God’s promise to fulfill dreams that could be realized in our life-time.
I wonder if God waits for us the way we wait for God.
Psalm 130:5-6 “I wait for the Lord; my soul waits, and in his word I hope;
my soul waits for the Lord more than watchmen for the morning,
more than watchmen for the morning.”
Miraculous God, we thank you for Mary, for her faith in your Word, and for her willingness to say “yes”. Help us to learn the scriptures and prepare to hear your Word for us today. It seems the prophets have again “stopped speaking”. Or have we been unable to accept their messages? Help us, O God, to believe enough to say “yes” to your plans for us. Allow us to dream of future Good News for our world and for your people. Open our hearts and minds to the possibility that those dreams may come from You. Give us the courage of that young Palestinian woman, so that we too may accept your Word and act upon it. In the name of your Son, our Lord, we pray. Amen.
