Reflection: After Gabriel told Mary the wonderful and terrifying news of her impending pregnancy, she asked the obvious question, ‘How will this be?’ Like Zechariah, Mary asked Gabriel a question to confirm his announcement, yet at its heart hers was a very different question. Whereas Zechariah asked from a place of distrust or disbelief, there is no suggestion of this with Mary. Rather, her question is direct and inquisitive. She mentions the obvious impediment, her virginity, as well as the fact that she is not married… but she asks this with clarity and curiosity rather than disbelief.

Gabriel then responded with a matching directness to her curiosity and explained that the gift of a son will be directly from the Lord and will be his doing rather than her own. Gabriel then linked Mary’s pregnancy to that of her cousin Elizabeth, and both of them to the work of the Lord. Mary responded with trust in the Lord. Her fear melted in the face of God’s faithfulness and she responded to this surprising news, ‘I am the Lord’s servant’.

How can we learn from Mary’s response to the Lord? Can we learn like her to recognise his sovereignty over us and willingly yield to him?

Prayer: Dear Lord, help me to respond to you in belief and trust. Amen.