Wednesday, 20th DECEMBER. The virgin's name was Mary. .

Wednesday, 20th DECEMBER
Luke 1:26-38

In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary. And he came to her and said, "Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with you!" But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and considered in her mind what sort of greeting this might be. And the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favour with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus."

O, Gabriel, what a 'decisive moment in history'! Among the millions of Angels it fell to you to deliver the most important message ever announced. How many centuries practising your lines! In this divine play that started millions of centuries ago we were all given lines; but yours, Gabriel, were the most important ever to be spoken by a creature (after those of Mary, of course). You had three parts in the play: one with Zachariah, one with Joseph (although, this was only in his dreams) and the one that was every Angel's dream to deliver, your message to Mary.

How was it? Actually, how was she? Were you nervous? The salvation of the whole human race depended on the outcome of that conversation with Mary. What if your sudden appearance frightened her? What if your words wouldn't come out? What if you missed out a line? But what if…what if Mary said 'No'? But, of course, that couldn't happen…could it? Well, you, Gabriel, had centuries to prepare your lines, but not Mary. You had read the script millions of years ago, but Mary hadn't. You, Gabriel, were given your lines, but Mary wasn't. There were no lines for her in the script. There was a gap that only she could fill. All the Angels in Heaven knew the question. All the Archangels, patriarchs - and God Himself - knew your lines, Gabriel. And all of them waited eagerly for the reply. And that is the case for every vocation, for every mission that God gives men. Angels, Archangels, Saints and Holy Souls - and God Himself - know my calling and mission. What they don't know, what they are still waiting for, what history hasn't heard yet, is my reply. 

Here it is: Holy Mary, through your intercession, be it done unto me according to God's Word!
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Commentary of the day :

Saint Bernard (1091-1153), Cistercian monk and doctor of the Church
Praises to the Virgin Mary, 4,11

"May it be done to me according to your word"

Let us all listen to the answer of the one who was chosen to be the Mother of God and who, nevertheless, did not lose her humility: "Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word"...By saying these words, Mary expresses above all the intensity of her desire rather than simply asking the accomplishment of something she was doubtful about. This does not mean that we may not find in these words, in her "fiat", also a prayer: "May it be done". For... God wants us to ask him the things he promises to give us. This is certainly why he starts by promising mostly what he has already decided to give us: the promise awakens our piety, and prayer makes us deserve what we will receive gratuitously...

The Virgin had understood this, for to the gift of the gratuitous promise she added the merit of her prayer: "May it be done to me according to your word. May the eternal Word do to me what your word tells me today. May the Word that was with God from the beginning become flesh of my flesh according to your word...May this Word be not only perceptible to my ears, but also visible to my eyes, palpable to my hands, and that I may carry it in my arms. May it be not a written and mute word, but the incarnate and living Word; not lifeless signs traced on a withered parchment, but a living Word, in the form of a man, stamped alive in my womb..."In times past, God spoke often and in various ways to our ancestors through the prophets" (Heb 1:1); his word was given to them to be listened to, to be proclaimed or to be acted on... For me, I ask that it may be put in my womb... I call to the Word, silently blown into me, incarnate in a person, physically united to my flesh... May it come in me for the whole world."

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