In the story of the Annunciation we have the template of how God works sacramentally with the world: The Father sends the Spirit to incarnate the Son in our world, in order to bring us all back into the divine life of the Father.
What is Mary’s role in this sacramental action? To say “yes,” which she does so powerfully that the Word is incarnated not simply as “inspiration” or “revelation,” but completely as a human person—Jesus. She could have said “no,” or perhaps, prudently, she could have said, “let me think about it and get back to you.” Her “yes” allowed all that was to come to happen.
God has a part for each of us to play in the great sacramental drama of our salvation. Perhaps we do not think that our part is quite so flashy as Mary’s, but can we see, ahead of time, the good that God is planning to bring about through our “yes;” the miracles God has in mind to work with our lives if only we would allow it?
We, like Mary, can only have an inkling of what lies ahead if we give our lives over to God. Prudence perhaps dictates that we should tell God, “let me think about it and get back to you.” If Mary had said “maybe” instead of “yes” Jesus would not have come to be. God cannot become incarnate on a “maybe.”
What will your answer be?
(Readings for the Fesat of the Annunciation: Isaiah 7:10-14,8:10; Luke 1:26-38 )