Luke 1:34-38
Find a place and time free of distractions for the next 7-10 minutes. Take a moment to settle into your surroundings and then begin to recognize your breath. As you breathe in, call on the name of Jesus and become aware of his presence with you. As you breathe out, open your mind and heart to receive whatever Jesus has for you today.
If you missed the last meditation, read Luke 1:26-33, and then read today’s passage, Luke 1:34-38.
As we considered before, Mary is understandably shocked by both the appearance of a heavenly being and the announcement of her role in the fulfillment of God’s promise. But unlike Zechariah’s response to Gabriel, Mary doesn’t need further proof; she just wants to know how this miracle will come about.
And Gabriel is more than happy to explain and even to reassure her that miracles are entirely within the realm of possibility when God has a plan.
Stop to contemplate your own view of miracles. If you were completely honest, would you say you view them as coincidences or perhaps somehow as explainable phenomena?
Take a moment to meditate on Gabriel’s assurance:
“…the word of God will never fail.”
Then share your thoughts and feelings about miracles with Jesus.
Read Luke 1:34-48 again focusing on how Mary responds to Gabriel’s explanation and assurance.
She doesn’t have to fully understand - Mary’s faith is not limited by her frame of reference. She simply believes and is open to be used of God in any way God chooses.
For the final minutes of this time of reflection, meditate on Mary’s response taking time to listen to anything Jesus might want you hear today:
“I am the Lord’s servant. May everything you have said about me come true.”
Is there anything Jesus is inviting you to do?
How do you plan to follow through on that?
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