We are in the season of Pentecost, or Ordinary Time. We’ll be looking at the lives of several Bible women as examples of ways to discover the Holy in the Ordinary. Women in the Bible, like the men, had their lives ‘interrupted’ by God. There responses are varied, just like ours. Whenever we are confronted by some change, or trauma, or disaster we react based on our life experiences, our family training, and our own state of woundedness or wholeness.
All of us have been forced into dealing with change and even
trauma over the past couple years. Not only have we collectively dealt with
COVID, but we have faced social justice inequities and tragic death, including
horrific mass shootings. Where is God in the pain and fear and anger and
despair?
This week and next we’ll look at Mary and Elizabeth from the
New Testament. They had their lives completely overturned by God. At first
glance, God’s action seems wonderful—the promise of a baby. However, the lives
of each of these women was turned upside down by that simple thing.
Most of us know about Mary, so we’ll start with her. We find
her story in Luke 1:26f. The angel Gabriel comes to her and gives her
astonishing news, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you
will name him 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 ancestor David. He
will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no
end. (Luke 1:31-33) Mary is astonished and asks “How?” Gabriel responds by
telling her about Elizabeth’s miraculous pregnancy.
Mary’s submissive response of Here am I, the servant of
the Lord; let it be with me according to your word has been held up as the
epitome of trusting in God. Indeed, Mary does offer herself fully to the work
of God. In doing so, she risks everything. She risks her reputation, the
reputation of her family, and repudiation by Joseph which could have led to her
being stoned. We know from Matthew 1:18-25 that her fiancé Joseph did struggle
with the unexpected news.
This teenage girl courageously says ‘yes’ to God’s call. We hesitate to do the same sometimes. I know I weigh the pros and cons before doing anything. Being open to God’s action is not something that can be measured by lists or rational planning. It requires simple trust and willingness. It requires living in a prayer-filled expectancy. In the December 19, 2021 Episcopal CafĂ© meditation Laurie Gudim asks, “Where are the wombs that will hold our hearts until the womb of new life makes itself known within us?” She ends by stating, “We are the wombs purified and opened through prayer.”
Mary found the Holy in an unexpected announcement and the
overturning of her life’s plans. By saying ‘yes’ Mary became Theotokos,
the God bearer. She became the actual womb in which God was birthed. She lived
the reality of being, and birthing, prophetic hope. This icon is called Theotokos of Vladamir.
Think about the times in your life when you were aware of
being part of God’s work. Consider the circumstances—was God present with and
through you even though it may have been a transitional or traumatic time?
Try to be aware of God’s presence in the little things each
day, and in the major traumas and fears you encounter. Next week we'll look at Elizabeth who also had her life changed by an unexpected pregnancy.
