Mary’s response to the angel’s announcement of the God seed being planted in her gives us a window into Mary’s sense of being seen and known. She finds God’s full acceptance in the deepest places of her humiliation and vulnerability.
Might we pause to notice even one place where we feel vulnerable and even humiliated. See if it is possible to describe the body feel of that. Maybe a picture or metaphor comes that describes this place well. If you can, simply stay with it, just as it is. Practice allowing it to be there, just as it is before God. It can be very hard to stay here. Often our natural response is to not stay with this sense of vulnerability. And maybe you can acknowledge inside that something in you doesn’t want you to feel this feeling. This too can be our starting place with attending to our feelings of vulnerability and humiliation. Simply acknowledging that you don’t like these places is the beginning of noticing acceptance, just as you are. If you can stay there, notice the grace that comes. Nothing is forced. Grace comes as it does, when it does.
New life is continually being planted in us. Often it’s planted in the unseen, hidden places we do not want to look. Our lives can be a Bethlehem, a feeding manger in a humble smelly barn, being made ready for something new to be born in us.
When grace and love does its work in us, gratitude and praise flows from our soul.
We, at Restoration Ministries, celebrate the new life in process of being birthed in you.
You are seen, known, and accepted just as you are – a home for the Christ child.
Luke:1-46b-55 NRSV
“My soul magnifies the Lord,
and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
for he has looked with favor on the lowliness of his servant. Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed;
for the Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is his name.
His mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation.
He has shown strength with his arm; he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts.
He has brought down the powerful from their thrones, and lifted up the lowly;
he has filled the hungry with good things, and sent the rich away empty.
He has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy,
according to the promise he made to our ancestors, to Abraham and to his descendants forever.”
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? Notice the effects these words have within you and all your senses.
Maybe a body feel, or a picture, metaphor, gesture or sound is there for you. See if it is possible to describe it and stay with it with interested curiosity.
Quietly reflect on what you notice in your prayer with Jesus. Maybe journal, draw of color your conversation.
Savor any consoling words or pictures as you quietly rest in God.
