Readings: Wednesday of the Third Week of Advent | USCCB 

The angel Gabriel spoke and Mary became “greatly troubled.” At that instant, human history paused and the angels wondered: would this woman bow before God and choose to accept His Will or would this woman who was created without sin, as was Eve, be like Eve and reject God’s way? 

If you had been there, what would you have wagered? Mary clearly had a different life already planned. She was already committed to being God’s handmaid, a virgin for God’s sake; and, virgins do not give birth. Moreover, in the Old Testament, it was the man, Abraham, with whom God had struck His covenant. How could the fate of the human race rest upon a woman’s willingness to be a mother? 

Yet, for God, all things are possible and for hundreds of years, a tiny verse in Isaiah 7:10-14 had been sleeping, waiting for its fulfillment: “The Lord himself will give you this sign: the virgin shall conceive and bear a son and shall name him Emmanuel” which means God is with us. 

Why did the angelic greeting trouble Mary to the point of fear? Did being called “full of grace” cause her to wonder about the authenticity of Gabriel? Why did she question Gabriel’s message that she was to conceive, bear, and mother the “Son of the Most High”? How could it be? How could she consent? Had she not vowed virginity? Gabriel assures her that the conception will be miraculous through the power of the Holy Spirit. With unreserved trust in God, Mary instantly consents, “I am the handmaid of the Lord; May it be done to me according to your word.” 

Thank you, Mary, for making the Incarnation and our salvation possible. Truly, you are the Virgin Mother of Emmanuel and all the living. 

Dr. Mary Lemmons, Professor in Philosophy 

The Campus Ministry Seasonal Reflections are offered during the liturgical seasons of Advent/Christmas and Lent/Easter. We bring a variety of voices from Students, Faculty and Staff. The perspectives expressed in these reflections are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of Campus Ministry.