What if she'd said "no, thank you"?

The Whole World Awaits Mary's Response

Today's Gospel focuses on the Annunciation. In today's Roman Office of Readings, Saint Bernard profoundly celebrates Mary's fiat, by putting himself in the position of those who, two thousand years ago, eagerly awaited her response to the Angel Gabriel:

Tearful Adam with his sorrowing family begs this of you, O loving Virgin, in their exile from Paradise. Abraham begs it, David begs it. All the other holy patriarchs, your ancestors, ask it of you, as they dwell in the counry of the shadow of death. This is what the whole earth waits for, prostrate at your feet. It is right in doing so, for on your word depends comfort for the wretched, ransom for the captive, freedom for the condemned, indeed, salvation for all the sons of Adam, the whole of your race.

Do read the whole thing...I don't think you'll ever pray an Ave in quite the same manner.


Special thanks from me to Father Dennis Brown, OMV, of Saint Francis Chapel, for including it in today's sermon.