Over the course of a lifetime, we experience many disruptions. To disrupt is to cause disorder, turmoil or interruption. Routines shift in unexpected ways. Medical diagnoses catch us off-guard. Employment opportunities come and go.
Mary, the mother of Jesus, had a close relationship with disruption. From early on in her life, she knew what it meant to experience a major change of plans. She was engaged. She had a vision for her life. And then an angel showed up with an invitation into disruption. Mary was told she’d have a child, and that child would be God’s son. As Jesus grew up, the turmoil for Mary continued all the way to the cross.
In the midst of the many disruptions that Mary faced as the mother of Jesus, the Light continued to shine. Her openness to God’s invitation is revealed in her words upon hearing the angel’s news in Luke, chapter 1. Mary says, “Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word.”
This message is excerpted from “Advent: The season of illumination” by Emily Anne Carson in the December 2019 Café online magazine. Today is the Annunciation of Our Lord.
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