God Announces His Gift of Mercy
A Meditation as a Preparation for the Solemnity of the Annunciation of the B.V.M.
March 25, 2012
As we move more and more into the sphere of darkness; the unknown to those who only live in the sphere of the secular - this world and nothing beyond - the grip of the prince of darkness appears to have a stranglehold on far too many persons and events. This reality is seen by many, especially persons who are gifted with a highly sensitive awareness, that it does not have to be as it is, yet the now moment is bleak and even depressing. It is in times such as these that God has come forth and shown the way into total Light and Peace.
For the message of God to make a sure effect on people, places and things a prevailing disposition must be one of expectation. To await a healing word, to expect that a power greater than human wills to assist but will not defy Its free gift to humanity unless invited to do so is the hurdle that only humility and purity of mind can overcome. Round table discussions, scientific searching; talk, talk, talk, will get us nowhere. We make circles of concern but really do not want the solutions to come through obedient and contemplative minds and hearts. This has been the lot of humankind since its beginning. We almost fall into the trap of Lucifer: “I will not serve.”
The maiden of Nazareth, Mary the Immaculate One, was the one who more than any other human grasped the source for the solution – she deeply pondered the reality of the Creator and creation and waited for the promise to be fulfilled that a Redeemer would come to put all things right. When the moment came, she did not see herself as being the one who was chosen to be the mother of the Messiah, yet with a simple question - “how can this be, since I do not know man?” she received the “Word” in her virginal womb by the overshadowing of the Holy Spirit as announced by Archangel Gabriel - God speaking through His messenger “the word was made flesh and dwelt among us.” The truth of God making a promise to Adam and Eve that He would send a redeemer to heal the rift caused by disobedience and that His faithfulness to His Promise would be again and again verified as at the Baptism of Jesus in the Jordan - the Transfiguration as the voice declared this is “My beloved Son, Listen to Him” - the call to obedience, to humility and the embrace of pure Life Itself, is the admittance that humans cannot move out of darkness - from the influence of the Evil One on their own power but must simply surrender and abandon themselves to Light inaccessible where all are led out of darkness into God’s marvelous light.
To hear the Message of God is to hear that there is a road to full freedom, peace and joy. A practice which our Christian world has lost and Pope John Paul II as well as Pope Benedict XVI desire to offer anew is the praying of the Angelus. This prayer turns our minds and hearts to the deepest truth that Light and Peace are ours as we not only pray the prayer but that we live the message, convinced that God and humankind become one in the mystery of Communion - God’s perfect Gift of Mercy. Being united to God at all times and in all places holds us tight to the way of life God came to show us - He lived to impress on us - living the Father’s will. This conviction of living God’s will causes harmony of spirit, soul and body as intended from the beginning.
How wonderful our journey will be as we not simply talk the talk but walk the walk doing so with patience and perseverance, heeding the words of G.K. Chesterton - “One foot up and one foot down, all the way to London Towne.”
May the Blessed Virgin Mary’s Immaculate Conception be our health and our protection!