Luke 1:26-38
When reading or hearing the Gospel for today, I often wondered what form Gabriel took when coming to Mary. Was it a bright light, a voice, or a human form? Whatever it was, it caused Mary to be afraid. Gabriel’s words were so reassuring, “Do not be afraid Mary, for you have found favor with God.” What an announcement! Mary is to be a mother – not just any mother, but the mother of the “Son of the Most High.” Then a question “How can this be?” followed by her commitment, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.”
Motherhood – physical or spiritual – is a sublime vocation with qualities of love, compassion, patience, caring and thoughtfulness. We find these qualities in our dear Mother Pauline. Often in her letters she advises superiors and sisters to practice patience and thoughtfulness towards the sisters and children. One example is from an 1877 letter to S. Nicodema: “Take the loving, most blessed Virgin Mary as your model. How humbly, how admirably, how united with God, how devoutly and industriously she must have presided over her home!” As daughters of both Mother Pauline and Mary we strive to imitate the qualities of their love for God and humanity and have sung with fervor these words of our community hymn: “What a mother have we. Teach us your love and your sweet charity.”
How often do I ask, “Why?” or “How?” when faced with difficulties? What does it take for me to follow those questions with my own fiat?
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