Behold!

Nowadays, with so many computers, cellphones, and viewing screens of all kinds, it is normal for us to be watching something most of the day. All this availability of information can sometimes be distracting. We have all probably had the experience of trying to get someone’s attention and finding that our question or comment went unnoticed. Many voices are pursuing our attention. It can be a challenge to be present to the people and situations we are physically experiencing at the moment.

The angel Gabriel certainly did not have such a problem when he visited Mary. Distractions were not the issue. However, Scripture says she was troubled at first when Gabriel called her: “full of grace.” Mary was more unsettled when he told her she would be conceiving and bearing a son! She knew she was a virgin! How could this happen?

Gabriel explained that the Holy Spirit would come upon her, and even told her about her cousin, Elizabeth’s pregnancy. Mary did not hesitate. She began her response with the same word that Gabriel had said, “Behold.” Mary said, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word” (Luke 1:38).

Today we celebrate the wonderful feast of the Annunciation of the Lord. What a beautiful feast for us to behold! In a world full of bad news—wars, hunger, threats, selfish competition, poverty—it is encouraging to focus on the good news of a Savior whose kingdom will know no end. We read of a generous, very young woman who accepts the call from our Creator to become the mother of his Son. Her faith leads her to leave the details up to God and to believe God’s will is perfect.

In this 50-day season of Easter, let us try to put our trust in God and his perfect will. We can behold the beauty of the season of spring as we plant our gardens of flowers and vegetables. We can behold the joy of companionship with family and friends. When we get the inklings that maybe we should do a loving deed or say a kind or comforting word, we can act in the sweet name of Jesus. Mary’s intercession can be there to help us. All we have to do is ask her to pray for us.

 We pray with Psalm 16:7-11:

              I bless the Lord who counsels me;

       even in the night my heart exhorts me.

   I set the Lord ever before me;

       with him at my right hand I shall not be disturbed.

   Therefore my heart, is glad and my soul rejoices,

       my body, too, abides in confidence;

     Because you will not abandon my soul to the nether world,

       nor will you suffer your faithful one to undergo corruption.

   You will show me the path to life,

       fullness of joys in your presence,

       the delights at your right hand forever.

 †††

Image: The Annunciation by Paolo de Matteis (1712). St. Louis Art Museum. Public domain.

The psalm verses are from the New American Bible, Oxford University Press, New York, 1990.

Sharon Krause is a RENEW volunteer whose writing has appeared in several resources for small-group faith sharing. She is a wife, mother, and grandmother residing in Royal Palm Beach, Florida. Over the years, she has served in many parish ministries.