DAILY HOMILIES #Angel Gabriel

How do we say “Yes” to God? St. Paul tells us in today’s second reading: “to be holy and blameless before him in love.” (Ephesians 1:3-4). Our “Yes” to God is our decision to live holy and blameless lives. It is our willingness to be the world's salt and light. Is it easy to say “Yes” to God? No. Nevertheless, if Mary said “Yes”, you too can say “Yes.”

In John the Baptist, we learn that no human life comes into existence randomly. God does the selection, arrangement, and planning. We existed in God’s mind even before we were formed in our mother’s womb. Psalm 139:13 says: “For it was you who formed my inward parts; you knit me together in my mother's womb.”

Just as the Holy Spirit produced a child in Mary’s womb, He can change your story. The Holy Spirit can make you overcome sin and incarnate Christ. Call on Him today. If He made Elizabeth conceive in old age, it is not too late for Him now. The Holy Spirit can still transform you no matter how deeply you sinned.

Having been conceived without sin, was there a need for God to seek Mary’s consent regarding the role she was to play in the life of Christ? Why was the Angel Gabriel sent to her? The fact that God has showered certain gifts and blessings on us does not remove our free will. God may have called you before birth, but He would not force you to say “Yes” to this call. God, who made you without your cooperation, will not save you without your cooperation.

Indeed, life is not balanced. No one has it all rosy. Virtually everyone alive today is going through something. However, we can learn from Mary’s visit to look beyond our challenges and difficulties. Let us know to place ourselves in the shoes of others. If you hear something good about others, go and visit them. If you hear something terrible, still visit them; talk to them before you start spreading the news (damaging their names).

Today’s feast is a reminder that God does not force his way into our lives. He works in us only with our consent. As one Saint said, God created us without our consent but He will not save us without our consent. We always have a choice either to say “Yes” or “No” to God’s plans for our lives. Great things happen when we allow God to have His way in our lives.

Let us learn from Mary to say to God: “Behold I am your handmaid, let your will be done in my life.” Mary abandoned herself for God and her consent allowed God to work mightily in her.

Re-awaken your faith, begin to trust again, let your delayed prayers become an opportunity to trust less in yourself and in your own abilities that you may know that God alone deserves all the credit for everything good in your life.