Considering Mary’s Response to God’s Call – Br. David Vryhof
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Br. David Vryhof
Common of the Incarnation
It has been the custom in monasteries such as ours to honor Mary, the Mother of our Lord, on the Saturdays in Ordinary Time between the seasons of Pentecost and Advent. Mary’s example – particularly the graciousness, generosity and humility with which she responds to God’s call – has been an inspiration to monastics throughout the ages, and to all who have sensed that God is summoning them to a particular task or way of being in the world.
The call that comes to Mary is a daunting one. God promises, through the angel Gabriel, to bless her with a son, who “will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High,” and through whom God’s people will be established forever. This, despite the fact that she is a virgin. Remarkably, she accepts the intervention and the promise with openness and trust, and responds with those familiar words, “Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word” (Lk 1:38).
I suspect we would all like to think that when God calls us to some special task we would respond as Mary did, saying, “Here am I, the servant of the Lord…” But we know that we are also capable of turning away, of delaying our answer, of looking for a way out. We see our best selves responding with openness and generosity, but we know also that selfish side of ourselves that loves to have its own way and doesn’t like being moved out of its comfort zone. And sometimes, if the truth be told, the call is, well, daunting, and we just don’t see how we can do it.
We’re not alone in this. Consider the reluctance of Moses, who responded to God’s call by insisting that he was not the right man to appear before Pharaoh (Exodus 3:11). Or think of Jeremiah who, when God called him, protested that he was too young and inexperienced to be a prophet (Jeremiah 1:6). Or Jonah, who hopped on a ship headed in the opposite direction from where God had called him to go (Jonah 1:1-3). Or even Mary, whom we remember today, whose initial response to the angel’s message was “How can this be?” (Luke 1:34). We, too, may feel overwhelmed or afraid or unqualified in the face of God is asking us to do. We may be tempted to turn away, to go our own way, or to look for a way out.
God’s response to our fear and anxiety is always the same. To Moses, God says, “I will be with you” (Ex 3:12). To Jeremiah, God says, “Be not afraid…I have put my words in your mouth” (Jer 1:7-10). To Mary, God offers comfort and assurance, saying, “Do not be afraid… The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you” (Lk 1:30, 35). In like manner, God says to us, “Do not be afraid. I will be your strength in weakness. The work is mine; I will do this work in and through you.”
Whatever this season of life is bringing you; whatever challenges it puts before you; whatever God is asking of you now – God is with you; God’s power is available to you; God has promised to do God’s work in and through you. Keep in mind that the work is God’s. Your job is not to be successful, but to be faithful. “Do not be afraid.” Put your trust in God.
Br David,
You are spot on in telling us to remember that it is God who works in us; our job is to listen, to wait and to respond when we are called to whatever God has in store for us.
May the Lord Bless You
Brother David,
Thank you for sharing this wonderful message with us. I relate well to Jonah usually moving in the opposite direction to where I really need to be.
I started out my career as a Presbyterian minister, but transitioned to a career in mental health. After many years of listening to sermons and preaching quite a few, I have come to the conclusion that the best sermons make one point, not three. This simple, brief and profound message will stay with me today and help me as I attempt to be a Christ follower.
Brother David,
I have only just begun following the path of Christ. I was only baptized into the Christian Faith two years ago at the age of 61. I have spent more than the past 30 years in service to others, the past 20, working directly with people with I/DD, for more than a decade prior, I worked in Emergency Medical services in both Mass. and RI as an EMT. Somehow I have managed to endure, though I finally realized that I needed the Lord to shoulder the burden of the suffering I have been a witness to. I was called to serve in lay ministry in my church, and called to an awareness of the SSJE, and have just begun my path as a probationer in the FSJ. I know that God is leading me, I don’t know to what, but I am encouraged to realize that I am not alone in having doubts, in fearing that I am somehow not worthy of being led along this path. Unlike Mary, who was unquestioning, who just let it be so, I know I have much work to do. Thank you for your guidance, faith, and service. Keith
In my younger I was in a ‘Christian’ college! We were required to go to Chapel and had Bible classes and classes on ethics and Christianity and modern thought. I went through a phase of ‘busting chops’ concerning all this BS and many thought I was an atheist( I wasn’t, I guess one could say I was a Deist like Thomas Payne) Anyway when I went into officer training, we had to go to chapel as well but here I looked to Sunday and turned to God to help me get through the training command.
Over a long torturous route I have become a practiicng Christian but in my present handicapped circumstance I am unable to go Church. I don’t know what my calling is really but I have vague idea.
I love going to the Monastery remotely when can’t go in person… next best thing!
Wow! This reminds me of Brother Keith’s sermon, how when faced with a daunting direction, in the end saying, “I can not NOT do this!”
In my case, this reminds me when hearing what God wanted of me, I responded with unusual bravery, stepped forward into the fog, responding to putting my hand in His- (even though so much inside me wanted to RUN away!) And now, where I happily am, reminded how today and tomorrow is God’s work. My job is not to be successful, but faithful.
Love this!
Appreciate this clarity.
Brother David,
Late in life I was literally called into the life of teaching and I literally said I am not capable, nor am I worthy of such an honor to teach. With the love and support of the only one who matters, God, I spent the next 25 years as first a high school then a college nurturer of younger minds. Love was my guide.