On Monday we celebrated the Feast of the Annunciation. As we continue our Lenten practices and end Women’s History Month, the feast’s Gospel reminds us how Mary’s humble and unwavering Yes to God’s will facilitated the Incarnation and so changed history. Mary must have wondered how God’s will would play out in her life, but she recognized and trusted God’s power, telling her cousin Elizabeth, “The Mighty One has done great things for me” (Luke 1:49).
What an example of fidelity, service and strength Mary shows us these days when power struggles and violence abound. Across the globe, we see many examples where those in civil service use their power to maintain position rather than to serve the common good. And just last week in the terrorist attacks on two mosques in New Zealand, we witnessed how hate and fear can wound and kill. May Lent instill in us Mary-like hearts, open and responsive
