The greatest yes

Their are times in your life, many of them just fleeting moments, when you’re asked to do something that is either uncomfortable, inconvenient, or just plain hard. Each of us has a story. At one time or another we had to make a decision. Yes, or no. Sometime today I want you to close your eyes and picture this scene: In a small ancient town, there is a small, nondescript house. Inside, there’s a young girl, maybe 13 or 14 years old. I’d like to believe she’s praying.

All of a sudden, there’s an intense light. A man appears in the room. She is very frightened. The man kneels at her feet and bows his head. His words, “Hail Mary, full of Grace!“. Just imagine for a second what it would’ve been like for a young girl back then to experience this. Then, on top of this frightening moment, the man tells the young girl that she has been chosen by God to give birth to the savior of the world, the Messiah, the Christ, Jesus.

Above all else, this young girl must have been so confused and fearful. How could she explain this? What would she tell her fiancé, Joseph??? What thoughts must have been racing through her mind. What would her response be???? I believe all the angels heaven stopped at that moment and were listening and hoping. She had free will to say yes or no. This was the moment that would change everything, forever. Her response: “Behold, I am the handmade of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word“.

At that moment, heaven must have rejoiced. This young, simple, and innocent girl from a small, poor, insignificant town loved God and trusted Him. Today, we celebrate the Solemnity of the Annunciation. Today we celebrate like the angels did at that moment. Why? Because Mary said Yes.