Do you ever come away from watching the news feeling scared and helpless? Of course we do. (Advertisers who support the news want our attention, and they know that the best way to keep our attention is to stir up our fear and anger.) But we don’t have to give in to that fear. Stopping to think before we speak or act is always the wisest course of action.
And that’s what Mary did when the angel suddenly showed up and spoke to her. She took in what the angel said, compared it with the facts she knew, and asked a question, “How can this be, since I am a virgin?” (Luke 1:34). And it was only after her question was answered to her satisfaction – with another fact she knew, that Elizabeth was pregnant – that Mary agreed to what the angel had proposed: “Let it be with me according to your word” (Luke 1:38).
Mary didn’t panic. She pondered, paid attention, compared what she heard with the facts she knew, and asked for answers before she said yes. Mary’s example of calm thoughtfulness is one we can follow.
This message is excerpted from “Following Mary’s example of calm thoughtfulness” by Audrey Novak Riley from the August 15, 2020, blog of the Women of the ELCA. Today we commemorate Mary, Mother of Our Lord.
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