Tuesday in the Fourth Week of Advent, Dec. 20
Who among us hasn’t struggled to know God’s will? How much easier life would be if a messenger told us what God wants us to do. Mary’s encounter with the angel Gabriel did exactly that. But instead of making her life easier, it became harder. Mary’s consent required a great leap of faith into the darkness of the future consequences of her decision. Her vocation would cost her dearly, especially at the foot of the Cross.
Knowing God’s will is desirable and dreadful for what it demands of us. But it’s a mark of courage and maturity to make life-decisions without knowing all the future consequences. Mary is our model for courageously consenting to God’s will and then living through the future consequences without reserve, without regret, without recall.