Misa de Gallo Day 5 Reflection: YOUR YES IS IMPORTANT

by Br. Jonathan Rodriguez, Jr.

Luke 1:26-38

The socio-cultural background of the Hebrews has the strong command on as to how religion and faith should be regarded. Considering also the deep chauvinistic tradition of the Semitic world, it has created an ambience of fear and anxiety, and of confusion and delusion. One could really understand the difficulty for young women of that generation to decide and express their desire. For that reason, the Lucan account of the Annunciation of the Angel Gabriel puts a 14yr old young lady into a very unpleasant situation. However, Mary stood her ground! Let us examine and reflect the elements that have led Mary to say YES. Let me share with you the three elements of the FIAT of Mary.

First, the story of the Annunciation was covered with confusions, fears, and of helplessness. But these never have clouded Mary’s vision of what was happening at that time. She remained calm, serene and never doubted that it was really a divine intervention. The Fiat of Mary is the story of her STRONG FAITH to the POWER OF GOD. This faith is what made her part of God’s plan of salvation for mankind.

Problem is all around, pandemic, financial crisis, family glitches, political disparity and etc. Each one of us encounters problem of any sort every day of our life. Most of the time we find ourselves at the losing end. Learn from Mary! Hold on to your Faith. Have a STRONG FAITH and you would understand the First Letter of Paul to the Corinthians that says: “so that your faith might rest not on human wisdom but on the power of God” (1Cor 2:5)

Second, the Fiat of Mary narrates to us the importance of having a REFLECTIVE MIND. As what Mary said to angel “Behold I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.” She could have turned down the Angel Gabriel but she accepted with all her heart, soul, and mind her role to be the Mother of the Savior. Her faith to God has given her the capacity to respond to these problems with a reflective mind.

Our world is full of problems. The only way out is to face those problems. Problem solving requires a REFLECTIVE MIND in order to classify things and respond to them with clarity. Like Mary, her clearness is the consequence of her meditation. As the Book of Proverbs would say: “Trust in the LORD with all your heart, on your own intelligence do not rely; in all your ways be mindful of him, and he will make straight your paths” (Prov 3:5-6).

Third, Mary’s Fiat is a story of a LOVING HEART. She said yes not for any self-aggrandizement. She said yes, simply because she wanted to be part of God’s plan of salvation for all mankind. She is our Mother who has a big and loving a heart for us.

This trying time, what all we need is a LOVING HEART in order for us to respond with generosity to the many forms of oppressions that loom in our midst. Let us imitate Mary who has nothing but fragility and yet made the biggest sacrifice of her life, she offered everything, she offered herself! Offer yourself to the service of love through your brothers and sisters and the reward is great as the Evangelist John would always say: “Jesús le respondió: “Jesus answered and said to him, “Whoever loves me will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our dwelling with him” (Jn 14:23).

Mary showed us an example of a total surrender of life to God. Her faith, mind, and heart are the underpinning elements of the decision she made that changed the story of mankind. Let us emulate Mary who has a STRONG FAITH, a REFLECTIVE MIND, and a LOVING HEART in order for us to face the challenges of our lives that hinder us to see CHRIST coming to us. MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERY ONE!