Hanging in the Uffizi Gallery in Florence, Italy is the Adoration of Mary by Italian Renaissance painter, Correggio. Stunned before Mary's worship I pondered her yes. A yes with open hands and heart and womb; a yes to judgement, hurt, confusion and misunderstanding. In opening her soul to God all else was on the line: reputation, honor, acceptance and security.
In my mind's eye others have paraded through the manger to worship, but I'd never considered Mary's worship. Her "yes," to God's invitation opened the way for heaven to come down. Gabriel came announcing Good News to one who worshiped by surrendering her will to God as she carried Jesus into the world. Mary knew whose Son she carried, and so she worshiped in spirit and in truth. She worshiped the Baby she bore. Do we?
We, too, are called to accept an invitation. Jesus longs to dwell in us: "If anyone loves Me, he will obey My teaching. My father will love him, and we will make our home with Him." John 14:23
Paul reminds us, "Do you not know, that you yourselves are God's temple and that God's Spirit lives in you?" 1 Corinthians 3:16
Even a small yes welcomes Someone in the door.
This Advent season may our yielding to His will, His Way and His Presence bring healing to our broken world. May we fall on our knees to worship the One who came to save His people from their sin.
Medicine from Sacred Writings:
"How is the Infinite in a womb,
how is He that contains all things carried, as unborn, by a woman;
how is it the Virgin bears, and continues a virgin?
How, I pray thee, did the Spirit frame that temple?"
John Chrysostom Fourth Century
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