Luke 1:26-38
Let it be with me, according to your word.

Dear friend,

Today is often celebrated as Shrove Tuesday. Tradition notes that this day was a good time to clear out the larder in preparation for Ash Wednesday, the beginning of the
penitential season of Lent.

Scripturally, it makes sense to me that we begin with the beginning, the annunciation to Mary of her role in salvation history. A role she so beautifully accepted.

March is deemed as Women’s History Month, and I can think of no better woman to write about today than Mary, the biological mother of Jesus of Nazareth. In the scripture selected for today, we encounter the angel Gabriel announcing to this unmarried girl
that she will become pregnant.

Mary’s response? “How can this be, since I am a virgin?” Gabriel said to her, “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 holy; he will be called Son of God.”

The cost could be high for this girl, who became pregnant out of wedlock. She could have been beaten for this development. But she landed on the side of faith, and told Gabriel she was all in:
Let it be with me, according to your word.

I believe that being a person of faith should put us in danger at times. Sometimes I wonder if I take that seriously enough. Maybe you wonder something similar.

Here is a list of things that might happen if I insist on putting myself on the Lord’s side:
Embarrassment
Inconvenience
What will people think?
I might get hurt
I might be rejected
I might be ridiculed
Am I crazy?
Do others have this call, too?
Is this really necessary?

Jesus’ journey ended on a cross of torture. He said those who follow him also will have a cross to bear, a price to pay for living into our faith in him.

May Mary’s response be my very own: Let it be with me, according to your word.