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In the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a town
of Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man named
Joseph, of the house of David, and the virgin’s name was Mary. And
coming to her, he said, “Hail, full of grace! The Lord is with
you.” But she was greatly troubled at what was said and pondered
what sort of greeting this might be.” Luke 1:26–29
The phrase “full of grace” is a translation of the Greek word
kecharitomene. It can be translated more literally as
“having been graced” or “you who have been fully graced.” The tense
of the word indicates that Mary has been graced by God in a unique
and ongoing way, implying that this grace was not a one-time event
but something encompassing her entire being and continuing to have
effect.
What was the Blessed Virgin Mary’s response to this amazing
greeting? She pondered the archangel’s greeting with humility and
initially responded with silence and in awe. Gabriel, aware of
Mary’s humility in her silence, says, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for
you have found favor with God…” Gabriel then goes on to tell her
she will conceive the Son of God within her womb.
Given her immaculate nature and the fullness of grace within her
soul, Mary immediately obeyed the archangel’s command and did not
give into fear. Yet her “greatly troubled” heart led her to ongoing
pondering and contemplation of all that was said to her.
As we draw closer to the Solemnity of Christmas, we are invited to
share in the Blessed Mother’s contemplation of the mystery of the
Incarnation. We can be certain that as Gabriel departed from her,
her prayerful pondering did not cease. The ongoing fullness of
grace within her soul led her to the deepest contemplation of this
divine mystery that was humanly possible. Her mind would have
penetrated the words spoken to her and perceived the mystery of the
Incarnation taking place within her womb in ways that even she
could not explain. With the fullness of grace came the fullness of
infused knowledge, which is beyond human articulation.
In our lives, we often fail to humbly ponder the profound reality
of the Incarnation. We must have a “troubled heart” in the sense of
remaining in awe of what God has done for us by taking on our human
nature. We must allow Mary’s pondering to become our own so that we
enter more deeply into the great mystery we celebrate.
As we prepare for the celebration of Christmas, reflect upon Mary’s
pondering mind and heart. Though we will never engage in her depth
of contemplative prayer, she is our model. We must accept every
divine mystery revealed to us with faith and then grapple with each
mystery on a deeper level that can only be accomplished by
contemplative prayer. Those who attain this depth of prayer are
drawn exceptionally close to God Who uses them to continue the
effect of the Incarnation by spiritually giving birth to Christ in
their lives.
Immaculate Mother of God, you were called “full of grace” by the
Archangel Gabriel. You humbly listened to all that was spoken to
you and accepted it with faith, surrender, and humility. Please
pray for me, that I will imitate your pondering Immaculate Heart so
that I will be better prepared for the great Solemnity of Christmas
Day. Mother Mary, pray for me. Jesus, I trust in You.
Image: Fra Angelico, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
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