Let It Be!

 We may all be familiar with today’s Gospel reading from Luke.  The angel Gabriel greets a young girl with the familiar phrase, Hail Mary, full of Grace.  In the following few exchanges, Gabriel explains God’s plan to change the world through her as the conduit.  After some back and forth, Mary said, "Here I am, the servant of the Lord; let it be done to me according to your word."

As familiar as this reading may be, have you ever tried to put yourself in Mary’s place?  Could this encounter be duplicated in today’s world?  Would we surrender ourselves unconditionally to God’s will as Mary did?  I have had numerous conversations with myself on this very point.  It is safe to say, it would take some kind of miracle for me to have been the mother of our Lord and Savior! 

I also reflect on the shock value that must have been presented to Mary.  She was not older than one of our junior high students at the time of the Annunciation. What kind of expectations are being asked of our student leaders today?  If approached, like Mary, would they say, “Let It Be”?

If you’ve read my reflections over these past three years, I have always slipped in a token music lyric. This one was too easy, and of course, there is a reason I have been a lifelong (Sir) Paul McCartney fan with inspiration like this: “When I find myself in times of trouble, Mother Mary comes to me, speaking words of wisdom, let it be! And in my hour of darkness, she is standing right in front of me, speaking words of wisdom, let it be!”

When do we, the average Joe, get our chance to “let it be”?  To my knowledge, I have never been approached by an archangel. Unlike Mary, this simple guy is not in a perpetual state of grace. Have I ever been asked to do something that would significantly impact the world? If so, did I say, “let it be”?  If I were asked, did I hear that call?

By now, we have probably grasped that God is a great long-range planner. Like Mary, we all came into this world with a purpose. Sometimes we need to be still and listen. Listen for God in our lives. Listen for Him working his miracles through us. We may not be asked to be the parent or surrogate parent of the savior of the world. Perhaps we will be called to serve as a pastor to a flock. Maybe we will be asked to lead an educational community. Will we be asked to bring children into this world, to be loving parents and grandparents?

  Perhaps that answer will be, “Let It Be” done to me according to your will.