A reflection from the archives for the feast of the Immaculate Conception. Happy Feast.
Today, as we celebrate the Immaculate Conception I’m reflecting on the gospel of the annunciation through these words from Psalm (97/98):
“All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God.”
It brings to mind a blog post by Michael Frost, “Four paintings for the four weeks of Advent”. He mentioned Henry Ossawa Tanner’s “Annunciation which completely captivated me it very captivating and today’s feast seemed a good time to revisit it.
The painting encompasses both the divine and the human as Mary’s room, slightly messy with unmade bed and rumpled rug, is illuminated by the Gabriel’s light. But I’m constantly drawn back to the look on Mary’s face. It has such a questioning, uncertain quality that I can almost hear the “but how can this be?…” echoing through her mind as she tries to make sense of the strange occurrence.
The painting brings to life that moment when the angel, having delivered his message waits, with bated breath, for Mary to give her consent to work with God for our salvation. It reminds me of a sermon by St Bernard of Clairvaux who writes:
“The angel is waiting for your answer, it is time for him to return to the God who sent him. We too are waiting, O Lady…If you consent straightaway shall we be saved…by one little word of yours in answer shall we all be made alive.”
As I reflect on this moment when the world waits for Mary’s consent I am filled with awe in the presence of a God who invites our cooperation in the work of salvation.
Where is God inviting you to participate in the work of salvation today?