Today I’m reflecting on the Annunciation. Luke tells the story beautifully, depicting the encounter as a moment of calm, serenity and stillness.
Beautiful, moving and inspiring as these portrayals are, I sometimes think that in some way they miss the mark, their beauty and serenity can make it seem like Mary’s response was a foregone conclusion, the outcome already settled before the question is even posed. It’s easy to see how hindsight would lead us to think that. I suspect that the reality was somewhat different. St Bernard of Clairvaux writes of the Annunciation:
“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.”
His words convey a sense of uncertainty and waiting make the whole encounter seem more realistic. Henry Ossawa Tanner’s “Annunciation” portrays this sense for me. It 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.
The look on Mary’s face has such a questioning, uncertain quality that it’s very clear that she struggling to make sense of this strange occurrence I can almost hear the “but how can this be?…” echoing through her mind as she tries to make sense of the strange occurrence. When Mary’s answer came it was the result of a completely free choice so she could respond with her whole heart:
‘Let what you have said be done to me.’
We too are called to welcome the Word into the depths of our hearts, discovering God’s will for us and allowing it to shape our lives. Like Mary, we are free to accept or reject that invitation.
Where do you find space for God’s Word in your heart this Advent?