The Gospel of Yes Daily Reflection for Dec. 15, 2023
DECEMBER 15, 2023
FRIDAY OF THE SECOND WEEK OF ADVENT
A YES TO THE IMPOSSIBLE
OPENING PRAYER:
COME, HOLY SPIRIT. I welcome you into my heart as Mary did. Come with power. Help me to offer my own yes to God the Father, saying with trust: “May it be done unto me according to your word.”
TODAY’S THOUGHT:
“How can this be, since I have no relations with a man?” (Luke 1:34) This is Mary's reaction to Gabriel's announcement of the impossible. Mary's response isn't one of doubt, but of surprise. At the human level, it would be utterly impossible for Mary to be with child since she did not know man. Hence Mary's surprise. But Gabriel reassures Mary: "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 called holy, the Son of God." (Luke 1:35)
Mary is asked to give a yes to the impossible. And we are asked to give a yes to the impossible as well. This obviously requires faith, a belief that God can do all things. Because Mary's life has already been turned to God, and the gaze of her heart has already been focused on his goodness and love, she is prepared to give a yes to the impossible. Nevertheless, Gabriel gives Mary reassurance: "And behold, Elizabeth, your relative, has also conceived a son in her old age, and this is the sixth month for her who was called barren; for nothing will be impossible for God.” (Luke 1:36-37)
"Don't be afraid. Nothing is impossible for God." Our yes to God is built on this truth. Because nothing is impossible for God, we are not afraid to give our yes.
Scripture is filled with great examples of this kind of faith. Abraham was asked to believe that God could do the impossible, especially with his beloved son Isaac, for whom he waited so many years in faith:
"By faith Abraham, when put to the test, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises was ready to offer his only son, of whom it was said, 'Through Isaac descendants shall bear your name.' He reasoned that God was able to raise even from the dead, and he received Isaac back as a symbol." (Hebrews 11:17)
Abraham reasoned that God was able to do the impossible. So, he wasn't afraid to say yes to what the Lord was asking.
Our yes is to the God of the impossible. We don't have to know how he will do it but to simply believe that he can.
TODAY’S PRAYER:
Pray through these verses from the Gospel of Luke, asking for the gift of faith in what is declared here: Nothing will be impossible for God.
Luke 1:36-37
"And behold, Elizabeth, your relative, has also conceived a son in her old age, and this is the sixth month for her who was called barren; for nothing will be impossible for God.”
FOR YOUR REFLECTION:
Holly Schapker, The Annunciation to Mary, 2017
When God asks us to say yes to the impossible, our reaction is one of surprise. In this image of the Annunciation, we see that surprise in Mary. Sitting upright, with her right hand raised, Mary says yes but also asks, "How can this be?" It's ok for our yes to also be joined to surprise. God's ways are not our ways, so we will often be surprised. As long as our surprise is joined to faith and not to doubt, we will be fine.
As you make your "yes" to the Lord today, remember that it is a yes to the One who can do the impossible. So, have faith in him. Don't be afraid to give your yes to the Lord even if you don't know how he will work things out. It's ok to be surprised, but let it be with faith in him!
For your continued prayer, offer one of the Prayers of Surrender trusting in the Lord's power to do all things!