“Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.”
The Gospel according to Luke 1:26-38
Lectio: What does the text say?
Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. Behold you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name him Jesus. He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High...
The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore the child to be born will be called holy, the Son of God….”
Mary said, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.” Then the angel departed from her.
After this text, what are the words, phrases, or actions that draw your attention, you interest?
Meditatio: What is God saying to you through the text?
This text encompasses humility, the greatness of smallness, the most intimate relation between God and man, humanity, love and mercy. Do I understand that I myself put up obstacles before the Lord who wants to work, act in my in my life? Just like Mary? Do I feel favored by God because of small or grand things that he has given me, whatever they may be? Do I search for the Holy Spirit and ask him to descend over me? Do I understand that he knows my smallness, my weaknesses and still looks at me like he did at Mary?
After the message of this text, what is your meditation, your personal reflection?
Oratio: What do you say to God?
Come Holy Spirit, fill me with all that is good that you give us, take away from me all my fears, unbelief, and stubbornness because I want to be a humble servant, to allow you to work, to act over me and to give thanks because you look at me, because you bless me, and I know that, just like Mary and Joseph, you also have a plan for me. I want to be your instrument. Guide me, remain with me and help me to be attentive to your wishes.
After the message of this text, what is your personal prayer?
Include your personal intentions.
Amen.
Contemplatio: How do I internalize the Word of God?
“Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.”
(Repeat)
“Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.”
“Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.”
”
After the message of this text, what is the word, phrase, or action that helps you remember this text?
<h4>Actio: What do I promise God?
May we all be servants of the Lord and do good works as he has told us, what he asks of us daily.
Follow in this process of knowing better my unbelief and stubbornness and to be able to allow the Lord to help me decrease these bad behaviors and have stronger faith in my life.
Not to fear and to allow things to happen as the Lord has said.
After the message of this text, what is the concrete action that God is inviting you to do?
