GOD’S WORD FOR THE DAY (based on Catholic Liturgical Readings)
DATE: 20TH DECEMBER 2016
TUESDAY OF THE FOURTH WEEK OF ADVENT
FIRST READING: Isaiah 7:10-14
PSALM: Psalm 24:1-6
GOSPEL: Luke 1:26-38
THEME: MARY’S FIAT
Words are powerful. One word is enough to start a fight and one word can end a fight. One word can offer you an appointment and one word can cause a disappointment. One word can open a door and one word can shut it.
The response of Mary, “I am the handmaid of the Lord; be it done to me according to your word” (Lk. 1:38), is rendered in Latin as “Ecce ancilla Domini fiat mihi secundum verbum tuum”. “Fiat” is therefore the Latin word for “be it done” (or “let it be done”).
The whole annunciation was characterised by surprise and bewilderment on the part of Mary – “She was greatly troubled at this statement, and kept pondering what kind of salutation this might be…And Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I am a virgin?” (Lk. 1:29,34). In spite of the apparent disturbance and uncertainty in the full implication of the message, Mary had absolute faith in God and gave a resounding “YES” to the divine plan of redemption. Little did she know that her “yes” would bring to fulfilment the prophecy of Isaiah, “Behold, a virgin will be with child and bear a son, and she will call His name Immanuel” (Isa. 7:14).
The “fiat” of Mary was the acceptance of God’s will. It was an echo of the “fiat” of the first creation (cf. Gen. 1:3). Her “yes” set into motion a new creation. That one word of Mary changed the course of history.
In these last days of the season of Advent, Mary offers us an example of humility and obedience to the will of God. There is a particular divine assignment for each one of us. When we choose to say “yes” to God, we choose to renew creation. A “yes” brings about a change not only within us but also outside us. It opens the door of salvation to many people.
We may not fully understand the path the Lord chooses to lead us on; even the unfolding of the mission he entrusts to us may be mind-boggling and baffling. However, we can take the risk and make a leap of faith, trusting that God who has never disappointed anyone who said “yes” to him would never disappoint us.
Is the Lord saying something to you? Is He asking you to pursue a particular path? Simply say “yes” to him. Your availability will reveal God’s ability.
Prayer: Eternal Father, I have heard your call, “Whom shall I send?” Here am I Lord. Send me.
Andrews Obeng, svd
DIVINE WORD MISSIONARIES
BIBLICAL PASTORAL MINISTRY
(Ghana Province)
“May the darkness of sin and the night of unbelief vanish before the light of the Word and the Spirit of grace. And may the heart of Jesus live in the hearts of all people” (St. Arnold Janssen).