I know that God knows all but there’s also free will and we can thwart God’s will. That’s what sin is, isn’t it?
But I was just thinking today about the moment after the archangel Gabriel said, “Fear not, Mary, for thou hast found grace with God. Behold thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and shalt bring forth a son; and thou shalt call his name Jesus. He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Most High; and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of David his father; and he shall reign in the house of Jacob forever. And of his kingdom there shall be no end.”
Think of the moment after Mary asked how this could be. That moment where the fate of the world hung in the balance -waiting for her response. I can’t help but think how much rested on that moment. All of God’s plan rested on this one young woman making the right decision. I wonder what Gabriel knew. Was he too given the information from God that she would say yes. Or did he stand before her waiting, trembling, unsure if God’s plan for the salvation of the world would be rejected?
It’s pretty amazing to wonder about, isn’t it?
December 22, 2011 at 7:39 pm
the Incarnation is a pretty big deal, don't you think? I sure do! Thank you Mary!
December 22, 2011 at 7:54 pm
This is a meditation I like to dwell on as well. I believe Gabriel understood what was being asked, and I believe the angels in Heaven knew. I think those favored souls in Limbo were aware of what was going on, and I believe all of them were peering down / up at Our Lady in frozen anticipation, waiting to hear that blessed, blessed fiat.
No doubt Angel Gabriel knelt immediately in adoration upon that word as the Incarnation took place thereafter.
What a beautiful, beautiful moment. I seriously get shivers just thinking about it! I imagine somewhere, Eve's heart sighed and her soul trembled upon realizing that God's covenant was again fulfilled.
Oh blessings…
December 22, 2011 at 10:54 pm
I think all but G-d were waiting with baited breath for Mary's answer. However, if Mary had said no, Christ would have come eventually. G-d promised it, though it might have taken much longer before He came.
December 23, 2011 at 4:00 am
St. Bernard pondered the same thing! Check out the Office of Readings of Dec. 20: "The Whole World Awaits Mary's Reply"
http://www.universalis.com/20111220/readings.htm
January 8, 2012 at 7:27 pm
as an atheist, I don't really see this as a question but more as a statement. As I understand it, she was already pregnant when Gabriel showed up. Immaculate conception is unbelievable to the non believing.