Given this week’s Feast of the Assumption of Mary, the Mother of God, into Heaven, Mary remains on my heart in a special way.

In particular, I have been thinking about when the archangel, Gabriel, first appears to Mary. When Gabriel arrives on the scene, Mary is a faithful and chaste young woman, living a quiet life, and betrothed to a man named Joseph. Gabriel’s news changes the course of Mary’s life, and of all humankind:

“And the angel [Gabriel] said to her, ‘Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High; and the Lord God will give to Him the throne of his father David, and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever; and of His Kingdom there will be no end.’

“And Mary said to the angel, ‘How can this be, since I have no husband?’

“And the angel said to her, ‘The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy, the Son of God’ … And Mary said, ‘Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.’ And the angel departed from her.” Luke 1: 30-35, 38

Mary’s faith and bravery in this moment are staggering. For starters, Gabriel is a powerful archangel – a heavenly messenger from God who makes appearances in both the Old and New Testaments. Archangels are supernatural spirits and forces who help to bridge the gaps that exist between the realities of earth and heaven. When they show up, their first words are usually, “Do not be afraid!” Mary remains with Gabriel and listens to what he has to say.

The Bible tells us that Mary was betrothed (or espoused) to a man named Joseph, but the marriage had not been consummated. (Luke 1: 27) In a culture that did not take kindly to espoused women becoming pregnant by someone other than their spouse, Mary’s decision to say “yes” to God’s plan places her in mortal danger.

As quickly as Gabriel arrives to speak with Mary, he leaves her side. Mary is now alone with the knowledge that she will conceive, through the Holy Spirit, and give birth to the Son of God.

Mary’s faith and bravery are stunning. Her love for God and for humankind is equally stunning, as she humbly agrees to fulfill this ancient prophecy of Isaiah:

“Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign. Behold, a virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel, [or God with us].” Isaiah 7: 14

For most of us, God does not send angels or archangels to reveal His plans. And yet we know that God has distinct plans for each of us and for humanity overall:

“The counsel of the Lord stands forever, the thoughts of His heart to all generations.” Psalm 33: 11

Spending time alone with Jesus each day helps us to understand the plans God has for us. The decision is ours then to trust in the Lord’s plans, and to work with Him in ways big and small, to create goodness in the world.

Thank you Mary, most Blessed and Admirable Mother, for bringing Jesus into the world.

Please pray for us, O most faithful and holy Mother of God, that we too may say yes to the plans God places on our hearts. Glorious Queen of Heaven and Immaculate Queen of the Angels, fill us with your love and grace and courage, so that we too might joyfully live out the dreams of goodness that God has for our lives. In your Son Jesus’ Name, Amen.