by Linda Ballard, osc
Isaiah 7:10-14, 8:10 | Hebrews 10:4-10 | Luke 1:26-38
“Do not be afraid … How can this be?” (Luke 1:30, 34). As our knees bend to Creed this day, it is good to remember that even Lent sings God’s willingness to be part of us.
In the five thousand one hundred and ninety-ninth year of the creation of the world, Jesus Christ, desiring to sanctify the world by his most merciful coming, being conceived by the Holy Spirit, and nine months having passed since his conception, was born … of the Virgin Mary, being made flesh. (Christmas Proclamation)
It is a two-fold celebration today. God asked. Mary answered. God wants us as a partner. God wants us to birth God before peoples and generations. Nine months from today is Christmas. In the midst of our desert wanderings, in the midst of our refusal to see, in the midst of our search for water, God came to a woman bound by death and asked her to bring forth LIFE. And she said yes. And so do we.
For today, it is that simple. Mercy is coming. The world is made sacred, and God is PRESENCE from us and for us. Our time may be faulty, but God’s timing is always right. It is okay to wonder. Do not be afraid.
This reflection was written by Linda Ballard, osc in the booklet published by Pax Christi USA, Wrestling with Presence: Reflections for Lent 2006.
What 2 words? Can I forward this to 2 different people?
Beautiful reflection! Timely, simple, pure. I love it when a reflection speaks to my current wonderings, my fear and my doubts. I needed this to ponder today. Thanks!
Have we gone back to the pre-1994 version of the Christmas Proclamation –
with its biblical-literal sounding count of years? I like your reflection, but nearly passed it by unread because of the obsolete proclamation.
comparisons here
http://catholic-resources.org/ChurchDocs/ChristmasProclamation.htm