Let it be Done

200 Words: Unless we are reconciled with our own history, we will be unable to take a single step forward

The Blessed Virgin Mary is front and centre stage in the last Sunday of Advent:

‘I am the handmaid of the Lord,’ said Mary, ‘let what you have said be done to me.’ And the angel left her (Luke 1).

Mary and Joseph show ‘creative courage’ and acute acceptance in and around the birth of Baby Jesus:

Often in life, things happen whose meaning we do not understand. Our first reaction is frequently one of disappointment and rebellion.

Joseph set aside his own ideas in order to accept the course of events and, mysterious as they seemed, to embrace them, take responsibility for them and make them part of his own history.

Unless we are reconciled with our own history, we will be unable to take a single step forward, for we will always remain hostage to our expectations and the disappointments that follow (Pope Francis, Letter on St. Joseph, 2020).

We do exercise our freedom in decision-making in life. Being pro-active is a good thing. But, we also exercise our freedom in accepting what comes our way.

It is this latter use of our God-given freedom that will either make or break us.

Amen.