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December 20, 2022Today’s gospel, with its account of Gabriel’s visit to Mary, places her squarely in the line of patriarchs and prophets who have been asked by God to do daunting things. Knowing that she, like them, is “greatly troubled” by what God is asking of her, Gabriel tells her, “Do not be afraid,” and explains how God will make it come to pass.
Like Mary, those earlier people heard this comforting message. “Don’t be afraid, Abraham, to enter into the covenant with God”; “Do not be afraid, Isaac, for God will multiply your descendants”; “Do not be afraid, Jacob, to go to Egypt, for there God will make you a great nation.” Moses, Samuel, Elijah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Esther, Ruth – all are among those told not to fear. And God reassures all these ancestors of ours, “I will be with you; I am with you.” God does not remove the fear, but rather promises that even in the midst of their fear, God will be with them. Each one must take a leap of faith and do as God asks.
It is common to describe these days of Advent as a time of waiting for the coming of the savior. But what if God is waiting for us? What if God is asking us to take that leap of faith, to bring Christ to birth here and now? Will we respond to those who ask for our help? And will we trust God to be with us? Will we believe that God’s message – “Do not be afraid, for I am with you” – is for us too?
