This “Jesus Today” message is dedicated to the memory of Betty Tremmel.
This morning, I attended Betty’s funeral. The priest began his homily with the simple yet profound exclamation – “we Catholics believe in amazing things”. He then substantiated this remark with the remarkable – that God took on human flesh, was born into this world, walked among us, ministered to us, and then died and rose for us. And of course, the big take-away is that this is the foundation of our hope – with our faith in Jesus, our belief in the amazing – we embrace the salvation that Jesus won for us.
And today we celebrate the first of these amazing events – the Annunciation of Jesus.
In today’s gospel (Luke 1:26-38) we hear the Angel Gabriel bringing God’s message of salvation to Mary. We hear Gabriel greet Mary as God’s favored one, “full of grace”, and explain to Mary her calling. We hear Mary’s “I am the handmaid of the Lord, may it be done to me according to your word” uttered in perfect obedience. And we know that Jesus was conceived in Mary’s womb at the moment that she gave that consent.
Of course we also hear Mary’s confusion and her trepidation. But even so Mary took a leap of faith into the unknown. Mary’s response is a testament to her selflessness, her trust, her obedience, and her faith. And by surrendering herself to God’s will, Mary affirms Gabriel’s message that “nothing will be impossible with God”.
And it is the same for us. Like Mary, we are also chosen by God. God calls us – maybe not in the dramatic fashion that he called Mary – but he calls us for our own particular role and purpose. And like Mary we dispose ourselves to God’s grace, we pray to discern God’s will, and we freely consent to God’s plan for us, even amidst confusion and trepidation. And like Mary, God bestows his grace upon us so that we can overcome our fears and faithfully live out this call. Like Mary we can also say to God “may it be done according to your word” as we help God accomplish his work in the world.
Here’s a brief version of Pier Paolo Pasolini’s “The Gospel According to St. Matthew” / “Il Vangelo Secondo Matteo” (1964). I hope you get to see the full-length version someday and, in the event you’re interested, I’ve included links to its two parts below.
I can’t think of the Annunciation without also thinking of the opening sequence of Pasolini’s “Il Vangelo Secondo Matteo” (1964). The film was made in Pasolini’s native Italy and employed no professional actors–just villagers from Barile, Matera and Massafra. In fact, Pasolini’s mother played “Mary in Old Age.” Several Italian cultural figures also had minor roles. The film was dedicated to Pope John XXIII, who died before it’s completion. Pasolini, who was as controversial as he was brilliant, was murdered in 1975.
(6:23)