How Can This Be?
28 And he came to her and said, "Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you." 29 But she was much perplexed by his words and pondered what sort of greeting this might be. 30 The angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. 31 And now, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you will name him Jesus. 32 He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give to him the throne of his ancestor David. 33 He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end." 34 Mary said to the angel, "How can this be, since I am a virgin?" (Luke 1:28-34)
The appearance of an angel with a message from God could be cause for joy or fear. Even though the angel addressed Mary as "favored one", it's easy to understand why she might have felt uneasy. Whatever God might tell her or ask of her was clearly important, and probably would be life-changing. Sure enough, this was no small request - she would bear a son...right now...unmarried. Couldn't this have waited just a little longer? She was already engaged! If she had been married, no one would ask questions about this pregnancy. Or, if it had happened before she was betrothed, she wouldn't have had to worry about the disbelief and disappointment of Joseph. The timing couldn't have been worse! But, to the angel, Mary only asked, "How?". After the angel's explanation, Mary yielded her whole self to God.
As we sit with Mary in uncertainty and doubt, we might even expect the disbelief and negativity of others. This might have felt like a long, dark night, but for the fact that she was now bearing the Light of the world. The constant turmoil of violence in the world - both political violence and violence in our communities - can feel, to us, like a long, dark night. But we, too, bear the Light. Even as the world's darkness threatens to envelope us, may we surrender ourselves to God - receiving, with joy, the peace of God's presence and the hope of God's promise as we find reassurance in the knowledge of the good God has already done.
35 The angel said to her, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be holy; he will be called Son of God. 36 And now, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son; and this is the sixth month for her who was said to be barren. 37 For nothing will be impossible with God." 38 Then Mary said, "Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word." Then the angel departed from her. (Luke 1:35-38)
