Today on the Solemnity of the Annunciation we honor Mary’s open heart of faithfulness when Angel Gabriel appeared with the Good News of God’s love for us and of her special role in bearing God’s son into this world.

“…you will be with Child…”

“…Yes, I am the handmaid of the Lord; may it be done to me as you have said.”

I don’t think many of us realize what Mary risked with her ‘yes’ – not just dreams of future happiness as the wife of her fiancé, Joseph. It was a different time. Unmarried women with unexpected pregnancies faced a harsh death by stoning.

Mary risked DEATH.

But she believed the angel’s words: “NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE WITH GOD.”

…and then she looked at the impossibilities and saw possibilities with confidence in God.

Trust.  Faith.  Grace.  Love.

Confident in the love of God,  Mary continued saying ‘yes’ to God – from the joyous announcement of Christ’s indwelling in her to the foot of the Cross where by faith she stood in her sorrows.

May God open our hearts and strengthen our faith to say ‘yes’ like Mary, in joyful times and in times of sorrows.

“My soul magnifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior…”

grace, peace & open hearts

    Virginia  : )

“Mary’s whole heart is manifested in the words of the Magnificat. Mary’s words give us a new outlook of life. The outlook of an excellent and persevering faith; a faith which is the light of daily life. Of days sometimes tranquil but often stormy and difficult. A faith, which, finally, lightens up the darkness in each one of us.” Saint Pope John Paul II