Let it be done to me according to your word.
Today we began our day with a visit to the city of Nazareth where we were able to celebrate the liturgy at the place where Mary accepted God’s invitation through the angel Gabriel to become the mother of God. In her simple reply to God, she opened the door for the Incarnation of Christ, and as result our world began to move back towards being what it was created to be. It was her willingness to accept the child Jesus into her arms that led to the Advent of God’s victory over sin and death.
My prayers turned to a family who recently lost their dear mother as we listened to the first reading from Isaiah.
This is one of the places in the Holy Land that resonates deep within me. The Church itself is shaped in the front so that it almost reaches out to embrace you. The church is names for the Annunciation and so there are many images of Mary, but Christ and his Incarnation are really at the center of this holy place. The building has two stories, the lower level being very plain, the upper one very ornate. It seems very symbolic of Christ himself who was both human and divine. One is also reminded of the mission Jesus came to accomplish in four images that are above the four confessionals in the back of the upper church. Each one is meant to call attention to the forgiveness of sins: The Good Shepherd, the woman in Bethany washing Christ’s feet with her hair, the Prodigal Son, and Christ giving the power to forgive sins to his Apostles.
Perhaps most striking is the roof of this church, which is in the shape of an inverted chalice, symbolizing Christ pouring himself down from heaven at the sound of Mary’s yes. I hope to always look to the example of Mary when responding to God’s call to holiness, knowing that God’s abundant grace will always be present to strengthen me to fulfill the same call.
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