December 8, 2005 at Saint Mark Church in Norman, OK
Genesis 3:9-15 + Ephesians 1: 3,6,22-12 + Luke 1: 26-38
A mystic and poet from around the time of reformation asked a question
that bears repeating on this feast. “What does it profit me if Gabriel hails the Virgin
unless he brings to me the self-same tidings? It’s a question whose answer
moves us from spectator to participant in the mystery of the Incarnation which is just where we must be found.
We must, each of us, stand face to face with our own Angel Gabriel and wonder: “How can this be?” How can it be that God would find favor in us? How could be it that we might give our flesh for the Word of God to be present? How could it be that our gifts would be enough, our faith sufficient? How could the Light of the Word shine in the semi-darkness of our lives?
The answer would be the same:
“Nothing is impossible with God.”
We celebrate today what happens when someone in the fullness of grace risks saying “Yes” to God’s will. Paul teaches the Church at Ephesians and the Church of Norman that we too participate in the Divine mysteries. We have been adopted and become Holy and Blameless in God’s sight. Chosen and destined, we are part of the Divine plan and the Mission of Christ.
We cannot give meaning to the story of the virgin. We cannot tell it in faith nor remember it with hope if we stand before God’s will and say: “Not me.” We are told that she pondered that will as it unfolded for her, and it is what we must do as well, ponder the works of God, and keep them in our hearts. Then, as will happen someday, when the angel comes to us we will recognize our emptiness and remember Mary and say: “Here I am Lord, I come to do your will.” Then by the power of our “yes”, the Messiah will be born again in some remote corner of the world.