Mary

Though Reformed in my church membership (PCUSA) and theology, I was raised Roman Catholic. I think that RCs are perhaps more right than wrong to emphasize Mary's role (I never remember being asked to worship her - though admit that the Hail Mary could be considered worship).

Though Advent hasn't begun yet, I find myself pondering Mary this morning. It could be argued that she was given the most important biblical assignment other than Jesus' own. She was trusted to bear and raise God's own Son. Gabriel was sent to announce God's plans to Mary. Though troubled, her response was, "I am the Lord's servant. May it be to me as you have said."

I don't know what went through Mary's mind in the days, weeks, and months that followed, but I'd be wondering if I had really seen and heard what I thought I'd seen and heard... I'm sure that it helped when Joseph was visited too, but the two of them had to wonder what they'd gotten themselves into. Though they had children together later, the trajectory of their lives was changed dramatically by their radical openness to God's plan.

I don't know about you, but I want to be radically open to God's plans. I'm certainly not a fit mother for God's Son, but providentially, that job's been done already. So what is it that God is asking of me today? What's He asking of you today? Do we have the heart to respond, "I am the Lord's servant. May it be to me as you have said."??