Luke 1: 26-38
In the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a town of Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph, of the house of David, and the virgin's name was Mary. And coming to her, he said, "Hail, full of grace! The Lord is with you." But she was greatly troubled at what was said and pondered what sort of greeting this might be. Then the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name him Jesus. He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give him the throne of David his father, and he will rule over the house of Jacob forever, and of his Kingdom there will be no end."
But Mary said to the angel, "How can this be, since I have no relations with a man?" And the angel said to her in reply, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore the child to be born will be called holy, the Son of God. And behold, Elizabeth, your relative, has also conceived a son in her old age, and this is the sixth month for her who was called barren; for nothing will be impossible for God."
Mary said, "Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word." Then the angel departed from her.
Dawg's Thought:
Today's prayer intention - for an end to abortion and the use of contraception.
There are a lot of Saints throughout history that have done great things. Growing up, I had the example of St. Damien of Molokai, and how he served the leper colony where people went to die. In hearing about his life, he wanted to do great things for the Lord. Being exiled on an island where death surrounds you may not have been what he had in mind when he said yes to being a priest, but he said yes to being a priest which led to his yes serving Christ in the poor and suffering.
Looking back, I never thought that I would found a calling in music ministry when I said yes to serving pregnant women living on the streets. I never thought I would have started an email list that goes out to many around the world when I wanted a friend of mine to understand the Catholic faith. I would have never thought that I would have found a life in Christ by helping a friend of mine talk to a girl in confirmation class.
Our Blessed Mother may not have known that she would see her Son crucified when she said yes to bearing the Son of God. She may not have known that she would one day have so many asking for her prayers. She may not have known that she would be the Queen of heaven and earth by her simple declaration.
God can do many things if we are willing to allow Him to be great. May His great be made known to you and to many through your yes in small and great things.
Take care and God Bless.
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