Mary, Woman of Listening

The Gospel of Luke tells us that when the angel Gabriel greeted Mary, she was greatly troubled and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. Her first response was not fear or refusal, but attention.

Mary listened. She asked an honest question — “How can this be?” — and then gave her free and generous yes: “Let it be to me according to your word.”

Pondering in the heart

Twice Luke says that Mary kept these things, pondering them in her heart. In a world full of noise, she shows us the quiet art of holding God’s word long enough for it to take root.

A simple practice this week

Each evening, read one verse of the day’s Gospel slowly three times. Ask, like Mary, what the Lord is saying — and end with her prayer: Let it be to me according to your word.