Here am I – Luke 1:26-38 Reflection
Walking in the forest or any other way of silence to pray often yields glimpses of reality beyond the limits of our intellect, strengthening our faith. Now decades behind me, one of these walks included an undeniable acceptance of a spiritual invitation to join Mary by answering, “Here am I.” In the decades since, there have been many “how can it be” moments since there was no way I could do this or that. Yet, like many of you in this same way, it somehow it works out to quite profound results since our first “Yes.” The most personally significant is an as-needed temporary intellectual washing away of a disability as if it did not exist. Jesus can give us the courage to patch our brokenness by sharing God’s grace with many around us and with us who have said, “Here I am.” Grace manifests into miracles, as like Mary says, “nothing is impossible with God.”
The Annunciation by James Tissot (full resolution image of the painting)
More details at the Brooklyn Museum website
Other reflections on Luke 1:26-38
Luke 1:26-38 Reflection – Nothing is Impossible with God, Luke 1:26-38 Reflection – Grace that Manifests into Miracles, Luke 1:26-38 Reflection – Mary’s Yes, Our Yes, Luke 1:26-38 Reflection – Our Spiritual Wombs
Additional related reflections:
Advent Reflections, Eastertide Reflections
Luke 1:26-38 – Scripture*
The Birth of Jesus Foretold
26 In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, 27 to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. 28 And he came to her and said, “Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you.” 29 But she was much perplexed by his words and pondered what sort of greeting this might be. 30 The angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. 31 And now, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you will name him Jesus. 32 He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give to him the throne of his ancestor David. 33 He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.” 34 Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I am a virgin?” 35 The angel 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. 36 And now, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son; and this is the sixth month for her who was said to be barren. 37 For nothing will be impossible with God.” 38 Then Mary said, “Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word.” Then the angel departed from her.
Additional Thoughts
Thank you for meditating on this Gospel reading and considering this Lectio Divina Luke 1:26-38 Reflection – Here am I.
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Prayer for young families:
Lord, let the young families of our communities get to know your joy, peace, comfort, and love despite the world’s distractions.
Attributions
This site has written permission from New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (NRSVCE) to use the Luke 1 Bible passage.
This site follows the guidelines for image web use at the website of the Brooklyn Museum, the Jewish Museum, and this Immersive Prayer website.
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