Mary's "FIAT" (Let it be done)

Mary’s "yes" serves as a model of faith and discipleship,

demonstrating trust in God's plan over her own,

regardless of the consequences or lack of understanding.

 

＊＊＊ 1st Reading ＊＊＊     

Isaiah 7:10-14; 8:10

Once again

The Lord addressed Ahaz, "Ask for a sign from the Lord your God,

let it come either from the deepest depths or from the heights of heaven."

But Ahaz answered, "I will not ask, I will not put the Lord to the test."

Then Isaiah said, "Now listen, descendants of David.

 

Have you not been satisfied trying the patience of people,

that you also try the patience of my God? Therefore, the Lord himself will give you a sign:

The Virgin is with child and bears a son and calls his name Immanuel.

Devise a plan and it will be thwarted, make a resolve and it will not stand, for God-is-with-us.

 

＊＊＊ 2nd Reading ＊＊＊

Hebrews 10:4-10

Never will the blood of bulls and goats take away these sins.

This is why, on entering the world, Christ says: You did not desire sacrifice and offering;

 you were not pleased with burnt offerings and sin offerings.

 Then I said: “Here I am. It was written of me in the scroll. I will do your will, O God.”

 

First, he says: Sacrifice, offerings, burnt offerings,

and sin offerings you did not desire nor were you pleased with them—although the law required them.  

Then he says: Here I am to do your will.

This is enough to nullify the first will and establish the new. Now, by this will of God,

we are sanctified once and for all by the sacrifice of the body of Christ Jesus.

 

Ps 40:7-8a, 8b-9, 10,11 

Here I am, Lord; I come to do your will.

 

＊＊＊ Gospel ＊＊＊      

Luke 1:26-38

In the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent from God, to a town of Galilee called Nazareth.

He was sent to a virgin, who was betrothed to a man named Joseph,

of the family of David; and the virgin's name was Mary.

The angel came to her and said, "Rejoice, full of grace, the Lord is with you!"

Mary was troubled at these words, wondering what this greeting could mean.

 

But the angel said, "Do not fear, Mary, for God has looked kindly on you.

You shall conceive and bear a son; and you shall call him Jesus.

He will be great, and shall rightly be called Son of the Most High.

The Lord God will give him the kingdom of David, his ancestor;

he will rule over the people of Jacob forever; and his reign shall have no end."

 

Then Mary said to the angel, "How can this be, since I am a virgin?"

And the angel said to her, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you and the power of the Most High will overshadow you;

therefore, the holy child to be born of you shall be called Son of God. Even your relative, Elizabeth,

is expecting a son in her old age, although she was unable to have a child;

and she is now in her sixth month. With God nothing is impossible."

Then Mary said, "I am the handmaid of the Lord, let it be done to me as you have said." And the angel left her.

 

Gospel Reflection ：

Openness and Acceptance.

The theme of this passage from Luke is openness and acceptance as Mary encounters the angel Gabriel,

who shares the incredible news about her role in God's plan. When Gabriel tells her,

"With God, nothing is impossible," he encourages Mary to embrace an uncertain future.

Mary's "FIAT" (Let it be done) demonstrates her openness to God's will and deep acceptance of her role.

This moment reflects a universal human experience: the challenge of accepting unexpected life changes.

Just as Mary confronts the daunting prospect of becoming a mother in unusual circumstances,

we often face situations that push us beyond our comfort zones.

 

The core message of this passage encourages us to reflect on how we respond to life's surprises.

Are we open to accepting surprises in life? Acceptance is an active choice to engage with our reality,

trusting that we can navigate the unknown with God. Mary's faith

and readiness to say "Yes" inspire us to embrace our journeys,

helping us recognize that even during uncertain times, we can find purpose

and meaning by allowing life to unfold in ways we might never have anticipated.