Christian Art | The Annunciation | The Angel Gabriel Visits Mary | Be It Done Unto Me According To Thy Word
Office Of Readings | Advent December 20th | A Reading From The Homilies Of Saint Bernard In Praise Of The Virgin Mother | The Whole World Awaits Mary’s Reply
‘The whole world waits for Mary’s answer.’
In this reading, Bernard of Clairvaux reflects on the moment of the annunciation, focusing on Mary’s reply to the angel Gabriel. The reading does not retell the biblical narrative in a descriptive way but pauses at the moment before Mary speaks, treating her response as a decisive point in salvation history.
Bernard presents Mary as standing at the meeting point of God’s promise and humanity’s need. He speaks as though the whole human race is waiting with her, using figures from the Old Testament such as Adam, Abraham, and David to represent humanity before Christ. This reflects a common patristic and medieval approach in which earlier generations are seen as awaiting fulfilment in the incarnation.
The reading emphasises that God’s plan does not bypass human freedom. Although salvation comes from God alone, Bernard insists that Mary’s consent is real and necessary. Her reply is brief and ordinary in form, yet it has universal significance because it allows the eternal Word to enter human history. Bernard’s repeated appeals underline the seriousness of this moment, not to suggest uncertainty in God’s will, but to highlight the dignity given to human response.
When Bernard urges Mary to ‘speak’ and ‘receive the Word’, he is drawing on the Johannine identification of Christ as the Word of God. Mary’s spoken consent and the Word’s taking flesh are held together: her word makes room for God’s Word. The sermon therefore links obedience, faith, and incarnation without separating them.
The conclusion returns to Mary’s own words from the Gospel. Bernard allows Scripture to resolve the tension he has built up, showing that the decisive act is not dramatic speech but humble assent. The reading presents Mary as the servant of the Lord, whose consent is personal, free, and given in faith.
A Reading From The Homilies Of Saint Bernard In Praise Of The Virgin Mother | The Whole World Awaits Mary’s Reply
You have heard, O Virgin, that you will conceive and bear a son; you have heard that it will not be by man but by the Holy Spirit. The angel awaits an answer; it is time for him to return to God who sent him. We too are waiting, O Lady, for your word of compassion; the sentence of condemnation weighs heavily upon us.
The price of our salvation is offered to you. We shall be set free at once if you consent. In the eternal Word of God we all came to be, and behold, we die. In your brief response we are to be remade in order to be recalled to life.
Tearful Adam with his sorrowing family begs this of you, O loving Virgin, in their exile from Paradise. Abraham begs it, David begs it. All the other holy patriarchs, your ancestors, ask it of you, as they dwell in the country of the shadow of death. This is what the whole earth waits for, prostrate at your feet. It is right in doing so, for on your word depends comfort for the wretched, ransom for the captive, freedom for the condemned, indeed, salvation for all the sons of Adam, the whole of your race.
Answer quickly, O Virgin. Reply in haste to the angel, or rather through the angel to the Lord. Answer with a word, receive the Word of God. Speak your own word, conceive the divine Word. Breathe a passing word, embrace the eternal Word.
Why do you delay, why are you afraid? Believe, give praise, and receive. Let humility be bold, let modesty be confident. This is no time for virginal simplicity to forget prudence. In this matter alone, O prudent Virgin, do not fear to be presumptuous. Though modest silence is pleasing, dutiful speech is now more necessary. Open your heart to faith, O blessed Virgin, your lips to praise, your womb to the Creator. See, the desired of all nations is at your door, knocking to enter. If he should pass by because of your delay, in sorrow you would begin to seek him afresh, the One whom your soul loves. Arise, hasten, open. Arise in faith, hasten in devotion, open in praise and thanksgiving. Behold the handmaid of the Lord, she says, be it done to me according to your word.
Christian Prayer With Jesus Christ
Lord God,
you chose to enter the world through the free consent of the Virgin Mary.
Teach us to listen attentively to your word
and to respond without fear or delay.
As Mary received your Word in faith,
may we also receive Christ into our lives
and serve your purposes with humility and trust.
Through the same Christ our Lord.
Amen.
Glossary Of Christian Terms
Annunciation | The event described in Luke 1:26–38, when the angel Gabriel announced to Mary that she would conceive and bear Jesus by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Incarnation | The Christian belief that the Son of God took human nature and became man in the person of Jesus Christ.
The Word | A title for Christ, drawn especially from John 1:1, expressing the belief that the Son is God’s self-expression and agent of creation and salvation.
Salvation | God’s act of delivering humanity from sin and death and restoring communion with himself.
Obedience | In Christian theology, a response of trust and submission to God’s will, often associated with faith rather than mere compliance.
Patriarchs | Key figures of the Old Testament, such as Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, regarded as ancestors of the people of Israel.
Handmaid of the Lord | Mary’s self-description in Luke 1:38, expressing her willingness to serve God according to his will.
‘Faith’ begins with a reflection on human struggle with sin and the difficulty of achieving spiritual clarity. Herbert employs vivid imagery to describe this challenge, asking, ‘Lord, how couldst thou so much appease / Thy wrath for sin, as when man’s sight was dim, / And could see little, to regard his ease, / And bring by Faith all things to him?’ This opening begins to explore how faith transforms human perception, making divine truths clearer [ … ]
Scripture: John 14:27 ‘Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.’ In this verse, Jesus offers his peace to his disciples, a peace that is different from what the world provides. This divine peace is deep, abiding, and capable of calming troubled hearts and dispelling fear. It is a peace that surpasses all understanding and is rooted in the presence and promises of Christ. Prayer Dear Jesus, I come before you, seeking your peace in my life. The world around me is filled with chaos and uncertainty, but I know that your peace can calm the storm within my heart. Help me to trust in you more deeply, to rest in your promises, and to feel your presence in every moment. Fill me with your peace that surpasses all understanding, and help me to be a vessel of your peace to those around me. Amen. Personal Reflection What areas of your life are causing you anxiety or fear? How can you invite Jesus’ peace into these areas? Reflect on a time when you experienced Christ’s peace amidst turmoil. Meditation On Prayer And Gospel John 14:27 reveals a profound truth about the nature of Jesus’ peace. Unlike the fleeting and often superficial peace offered by the world, Jesus’ peace is enduring and deeply transformative. This peace is not dependent on external circumstances but is anchored in the character and promises of Christ. As we navigate through life’s challenges, it’s crucial to understand and embrace this divine peace. Jesus’ peace is rooted in his presence. When he says, ‘Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you,’ Jesus is assuring us of his continual presence. This peace is a gift that flows from his abiding presence in our lives. It is a reminder that we are never alone, no matter what we face. his presence brings comfort and security, allowing us to rest even in the midst of life’s storms. Furthermore, Jesus contrasts his peace with the peace that the world gives. The world’s peace is often conditional and temporary, based on circumstances that can change in an instant. In contrast, Jesus’ peace is steadfast and eternal. It is a peace that reassures us in our deepest fears and anxieties, reminding us that he is in control. This peace transcends our understanding, as it is grounded in the eternal and unchanging nature of God. To experience Jesus’ peace, we must cultivate a relationship with him. This involves spending time in prayer, meditating on his word, and seeking his presence in our daily lives. It also means surrendering our worries and fears to Jesus, trusting that Jesus will provide and protect. As we draw closer to Jesus, his peace fills our hearts and minds, transforming our outlook and calming our spirits. One practical way to embrace Jesus’ peace is through prayer and meditation. By setting aside time each day to be still before the Lord, we create space for his peace to fill us. Reflecting on scriptures like John 14:27 can remind us of his promises and help us focus on his presence. Additionally, practicing gratitude can shift our focus from our worries to the many blessings in our lives, further opening our hearts to his peace. Another aspect of embracing Jesus’ peace is learning to let go of control. Often, our anxiety stems from a desire to control our circumstances. Jesus invites us to trust in his sovereign plan, even when we do not understand it. By surrendering our need for control and placing our trust in Him, we open ourselves to the peace that comes from knowing that He holds all things in his hands. Living in Jesus’ peace also means becoming peacemakers in our relationships and communities. As we experience his peace, we are called to extend that peace to others. This involves forgiving those who have wronged us, seeking reconciliation, and promoting harmony wherever we go. By being agents of his peace, we reflect his love and grace to a world in desperate need of his presence. Prayer Lord Jesus, Your peace is a precious gift that the world cannot give. In times of turmoil and distress, remind me to turn to you. Let your peace guard my heart and mind, dispelling all fear and anxiety. Teach me to trust in your unfailing love and to rest in your promises. Help me to be a peacemaker, sharing your peace with those around me. May your peace reign in my heart, my home, and my relationships. Thank you for your constant presence and the gift of your peace. Amen. Scripture: Matthew 5:9 ‘Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.’ Blessing May the peace of our Lord Jesus Christ fill your heart and mind, guiding you through every challenge and bringing you comfort and joy. May you rest in his unending peace and share it generously with those around you. Amen.
The Wanderer is preserved in the Exeter Book, a manuscript compiled in the late tenth century. It is an elegy, though this label is a modern critical category. The poem addresses exile, loss, memory, and the search for meaning within a transient world. It presents an individual speaker reflecting on past experience and present condition, and moves toward more general statements about human life. The poem traces a development from the experience of exile to a broader reflection on transience, concluding with a shift toward a religious framework. The poem combines personal expression with more generalised reflection [ … ]
