The very fiber of the Italian cities seemed to sing with angelic presence. They were everywhere: in churches, on buildings and adorning bridges. This unidentified angel hung near a window in Sienna. What is she saying as she crushes a sword under her feet and wields a shield above her?
We know what the angel Gabriel said to Mary in Nazareth. His shocking words require some kind of D-Day fan fare. The invasion of time by the Incarnation of God rocks the world; both the forces of good and evil must have stood at attention with the Annunciation.:
"Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you. Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God. You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end." Luke 1:31
Do we know God is with us? Do we know Jesus is reigning? Some grey and dark days we do not sense it. We feel the plight of refugees and the fear of terror, but there is a greater reality. We must cling to the hope God gives when Gabriel announces His invasion plans.
And we can open our hearts and let Him invade the darkness there.
"In Him was life and that life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it." John 1:5
I pray this Advent season that we might open the eyes of our hearts and know God is with us. Mary's yes ushered in God's abiding presence with us. May we know this truth deeply and allow the light of Jesus to illumine our hearts, minds and lives.
Medicine from Sacred Scripture:
"The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us.
We have seen His glory, the glory of the One and Only,
who came from the Father, full of grace and truth."
John 1:14
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