Whether male or female, these words are for you.
The Lord has found delight in you.
Long ago. the Lord sent a messenger, an angel to Mary to announce these very words to her. Today, afresh, these words are for you. The Lord has found delight in you. As you pray with the text this week, you might wonder what that could possibly mean for your life today, for this very moment. Place yourself in Mary’s story. Pray slow. Be still. See how her words do or do not resonate with your own. Notice what you are longing to hear, longing to savor, longing to be born anew…
Your quiet presence, your compassion makes room to nurture the Christ life in you.
Luke:1-26-38 The Passion Translation
During the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, the angel Gabriel was sent from God’s presence to an unmarried girl named Mary, living in Nazareth, a village in Galilee. She was engaged to a man named Joseph, a true descendant of King David. Gabriel appeared to her and said, “Grace to you, young woman, for the Lord is with you and so you are anointed with great favor.”
Mary was deeply troubled over the words of the angel and bewildered over what this may mean for her. But the angel reassured her, saying, “Do not yield to your fear, Mary, for the Lord has found delight in you and has chosen to surprise you with a wonderful gift. You will become pregnant with a baby boy, and you are to name him Jesus. He will be supreme and will be known as the Son of the Highest. And the Lord God will enthrone him as King on his ancestor David’s throne. He will reign as King of Israel forever, and his reign will have no limit.”
Mary said, “But how could this happen? I am still a virgin!”
Gabriel answered, “The Spirit of Holiness will fall upon you and almighty God will spread his shadow of power over you in a cloud of glory! This is why the child born to you will be holy, and he will be called the Son of God. What’s more, your aged aunt, Elizabeth, has also become pregnant with a son. The ‘barren one’ is now in her sixth month. Not one promise from God is empty of power, for nothing is impossible with God!”
Then Mary responded, saying, “This is amazing! I will be a mother for the Lord! As his servant, I accept whatever he has for me. May everything you have told me come to pass.” And the angel left her.
For Reflection and Prayer:
Was there a word, phrase or image which caught your attention you as you listened to or slowly read the text? Allow those words to land softly in your heart.
Quietly reflect on what you heard in your prayer with Jesus. Journal your conversation.
What longing rose up in your heart as you listened. How are you feeling this holy longing in your body? Gently bring this awareness into your prayer with Jesus.
Savor any consoling words or pictures as you quietly rest in God.
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