call:
The Lord be with you.
response:
And also with you.
call:
Today’s symbol is a heart. Mary opened her heart and her life to God’s words, and she became Jesus’ loving mother. Because of Mary’s loving and faithful heart, God’s love came into the world as her son.
response:
Thanks be to God!
Scripture reading : Luke 1:26-38
Have you ever noticed what angels often say to people in the Bible? Over and over again, when God’s messengers from heaven greet people, they say, “Do not be afraid!” God has many messages for people, but almost always the rst and most important thing is, “Don’t be afraid.”
Mary listened to the angel, and she took his words into her heart. He had wild, amazing, astonishing news: although she was a young, unmarried girl, she would have a baby. She was to name him Jesus, which means “God saves.” And this unexpected baby would grow to be Israel’s great promised king, a king like David, who would rule over his people forever.
When Mary heard the angel’s message, she obeyed his words: she was not afraid. She trusted God, took these promises into her heart, and simply said, “Yes. I am God’s servant. Let it happen, just as you have said.” And because Mary was not afraid, because Mary opened her heart to God, God’s love came to live in the world in her son. Her baby. Jesus.
pray:
God of love and grace, thank you for Mary’s brave heart. Thank you for choosing to come to your people as her small son. Help us open our hearts to you, too. Amen.