Two Annunciations
Today is the Feast of the Annunciation – what is it?
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Actually there were two Annunciations - Luke 1
The Angel Gabriel came first to Zechariah in the Temple to reveal God’s will and plan, that he is to have a son and name him John; Zechariah however, does not believe. Then Angel Gabriel came to Mary at the Annunciation to reveal God’s will for her, that she is to have a son and name him Jesus, even though she is to remain a virgin; she believes. Why does Mary believe, and Zechariah does not?
In Luke 1 The Angel Gabriel comes to Zechariah and tells him he will have a son and name him John. Zechariah then said to the angel, ‘How can I be sure of this? I am an old man and my wife is getting on in years.’ The angel replied, ‘I am Gabriel who stand in God’s presence, and I have been sent to speak to you and bring you this good news. Listen! Since you have not believed my words, which will come true at their appointed time, you will be silenced and have no power of speech until this has happened.’
Zechariah’s question is remarkably stupid “How can I be sure of this?” Gabriel responds “Well, how about because I am an Angel and I just told you! But you are not listening.” Then immediately Gabriel says to Zechariah “Listen!” Obviously, Zechariah has not been listening and that is precisely his problem. He has not made a habit of listening to God in silent prayer, so when God sends His messenger, the Angel Gabriel, Zechariah is incapable of hearing God and responding with faith.
To remedy this problem and to teach Zechariah how to listen to God, Gabriel strikes him not only speechless, but also deaf for the next 9 months, to give Zechariah the silence he will need to get familiar with God’s voice so that he can know and do the will of God. Silence and listening to the Word of God is a necessary requirement to knowing and doing the will of God.
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At the Annunciation Mary does not ask “How can I be sure of this?” She doesn’t need proof. She believes because God said it through the Angel. Mary simply asks how this will happen, since she is a consecrated Virgin?” She gets and answer “The Holy Spirit will come upon you and the Power of the Most-High will overshadow you.”
Unlike Zechariah, Mary has the habit of silent reflection on the Word of God which makes her familiar with God’s voice, ready to hear, ready to believe and to do what God tells her. Twice we are told in the Gospel of Luke 2:19 and 51 “Mary pondered all these things in her heart.”
Mary spent time in silence, reading and thinking about the Word of God and this made it possible for her to know and do God’s will by responding with her whole self – It allowed her to be all in! “Behold the handmaid of the Lord, be it done unto me according to your will.”
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Mother Teresa once said: It can be difficult to pray when we don’t know how, but we can help ourselves through the use of silence. Souls of prayer are souls of great silence. This silence takes a lot of sacrifice, but if we really want to pray, we must be ready to take that step now. Without this first step toward silence, we will not be able to reach our goal, which is union with God.
We forget that in the silence of the heart God speaks, and from the fullness of the heart we speak. Only when we have heard him in the silence of our hearts, only when we have learned to listen to God in the silence of our hearts, only then can we say: I pray. There is no either/or about prayer and love. We can’t say we have either prayer or love: There is no prayer without love and no love without prayer.
The fruit of silence is prayer.
The fruit of prayer is faith.
The fruit of faith is love.
The fruit of love is service.
The fruit of service is peace.”
According to Mother Teresa, peace, service, love, faith and prayer all find their origin in silence. But silence may be the hardest thing to find in our world which is kind of funny because silence is always there, just like God is always there, in fact, God is within you. So, what is keeping us from silence and a deeper friendship with God who dwells in your heart?
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When the Angel Gabriel presents God’s plan to Mary she responds with: Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord, let it be done to me according to God’s will.
Mary put no limits on God. With her Yes, she gave God unconditional permission to do whatever He thought best for her.
And because she gave everything to God, she received Everything in return – She received God Himself dwelling in her soul and in her womb.
I am not like Mary. I put limits on what I will allow Him to do in my life.
Why am I afraid to let God in and do what He wants in me?
because I am more attached to the things I think I need for my identity or my comfort than I am too God – and that is why in return I receive little. Not because God is miserly, but because I am, I limit God’s action in my life by my lack of trust.
I am crazy! And so are you!
Mary, come into my weakness and renew your Unconditional Yes in me because I am too weak.
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As I read and reflect on all the messages from the approved apparitions of Mary, I see that She is asking us to gather and pray the Rosary together: in families, among friends, in small groups and in large events.
Yesterday I challenged the St James Academy Women’s soccer team to break down into teams of 5 people, make a team name and commit to come together pray the Rosary once a week. Like Mary, they said Yes. I think they can do it. I believe this is one thing Our Lady is asking right now.
A person beginning to learn how to shoot a basketball shouldn’t start with long range three pointers. Start with something easy – a lay-up. Let’s do the same thing with the Rosary…think of another person who already prays or is at least willing to pray the Rosary and invite them – a lay-up so to speak. Or maybe you already have a small faith group you meet with – invite them to pray the Rosary with you.
Will you be like Zechariah and doubt or like Mary?