Luke 1:24-38 2024/04/07 Osaka Church
In the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit
The angel Gabriel was sent to Mary and told her, “Rejoice, blessed woman,” that she would become the mother of the Son of God. But the angel did not come to command Mary to submit to the will of God, nor did he come to inform her of God’s decisions. This event is often referred to as the “Annunciation.” However, even though we call it an “announcement,” God actually made a “proposal” to her and asked for her “agreement.” We must not forget that Gabriel left her only after confirming Mary’s free acceptance: “Let it be done to me according to your word.”
The same thing happens at the beginning of our faith, and also whenever our faith is about to falter.
We know enough that we don’t seriously believe that money and social honor make people happy, that entertainment and travels truly enrich our lives, or that hobbies and education complete us. We are well aware that it is ridiculous to say that salvation can be “obtained” through a superficial relationship with a temple or church. On the contrary, somewhere in our heart we feel that there is no other sure way to live, which is to live by truly believing in God.
But we’re scared. We are afraid that now we’ll be exposed to the same stares we’ve been giving other people who commit religion deeply , with a mixture of discomfort, curiosity, and a little bit of contempt. We hesitate because we don’t want to stop being a “normal person.” What we lose when we get serious about our faith is something that has a certain “track record” even if it is imperfect, and even though what we are trying to gain is “eternal life in the kingdom of God,” It’s just a promise now. We tremble in fear as we face the door to an unknown life.
When an angel appeared to Mary and said, “Congratulations, blessed woman,” Mary was also afraid. She wondered what would happen to her. Then the angel said: “Do not be afraid, Mary. You have found favor with God. You will conceive and give birth to a son. You shall name him Jesus.” Mary also hesitated. It is often said that Mary simply accepted God’s will obediently, but that is not the case. In the matins of the Feast of the Annunciation, which we are celebrating today, Mary repeats each time to the angel Gabriel, who tries to persuade her by rephrasing the request, that Mary will “conceive God without seed (while still a virgin).” “That is impossible,” she says. There is even an exchange like this. When the angel replies, “That is the work of the Holy God,” Mary rephrases it as follows. She said, “Eve fell for the serpent and lost her wonderful life in paradise, so I don’t want to follow that path, so I can’t accept your dubious offer.” ”.
This kind of exchange continues for eight pages in the Japanese Orthodox Church’s prayer book.
But in the end, Mary answered: “May it be done to me according to your word.”
There are countless people who have followed Mary’s example and dedicated their lives to God despite the same fear. In the grace they received at Baptism and renewed with each Eucharist, they learned from Christ’s command, “Love one another as I have loved you” (John 15:12). They continued to struggle to keep the call. “Transformed into the likeness of the Lord from glory to glory” (2 Corinthians 2:18), and finally lived their lives not as a morality of believing in God and loving God and loving his neighbor, but as a joy and thanks to God. We too tremble with the same fear now. and we are told by Gospel not to be afraid.
“Be of good cheer, I have overcome the world” (John 16:33)