18th. December. 2021. Daily Devotion.
35 The angel answered, ‘The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called[b] the Son of God. 36 Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be unable to conceive is in her sixth month. 37 For no word from God will ever fail.’38 ‘I am the Lord’s servant,’ Mary answered. ‘May your word to me be fulfilled.’ Then the angel left her. Luke 1:35-38
Reflect
Mary accepted the angel’s word with humility, regardless of the consequences, for she must surely have realise the full implication of his words. To be the Lord’s servant is to submit our lives to the will of God. It is to say, “God, you have loved me with an everlasting love, and I am yours. Whatever you want and wherever you want me to go I will do it.” For some of us that involves pain and suffering. We can learn so much from our brothers and sisters who have to endure. The ones who understand what it means to take up their cross daily. Those who trust even in the darkest moments. Those who carry on loving and forgiving in the face of hatred. What is God teaching you through the persecuted Church?
Prayer
Lord, we thank you for what we learn from one another. We love the miracle of the worldwide Church. People of all ages brought together through your amazing love. Those of every tongue, tribe and nation. Help us God never to lose sight of the global Church and all you are doing in and through it. Amen.
Prayer for Wisdom
Grant us, O Holy Spirit, wisdom and understanding that we may receive your light; prudence and strength that we may persevere in faith; knowledge and awe that we may rest in you alone, fear and delight that we may rejoice in your love. Amen. Bonaventura (c.1217-1274)
A Prayer for Grace
God of the wild places and margins,
give us the grace to honour those who are different.
God of the dispossessed and empty,
give us humility to value in others the things we lack.
God of the spiritually poor and cynical,
give us the self-awareness to avoid arrogance.
God of the aggressive and defensive,
give us the courage and patience to love unconditionally
God of ourselves, give us the tenderness to see ourselves as you see us. Amen.
