'Nothing is impossible with God' is a message to hear and share
by Sister Laura Zelten
When my niece was young, she and her family attended the early Christmas Eve liturgy for children. The priest invited all the children to gather around the presider’s chair to watch the Christmas pageant procession enter church. As the angel entered my niece leaned over the priest and said, “That is what I want to be when I grow up.”
On this fourth Sunday of Advent we read the story of the Annunciation from Luke’s Gospel. (Luke is the only evangelist who includes the Annunciation story in his Gospel.) The Angel Gabriel appeared to the Virgin Mary and announced that Mary was to “conceive in her womb and bear a son, and you shall name him Jesus.”
The Gospel is the conversation between the Gabriel and Mary. Gabriel announced God’s intention. Mary responded with the very practical question: “How can this be, since I have no relations with a man?” Gabriel replied: “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you.” Gabriel then offered a sign confirming that this was God’s work by telling Mary that her elderly relative, Elizabeth, who was thought to be barren, was six months’ pregnant: “For nothing will be impossible with God.” Mary assented to God’s will with words of complete trust and faith: “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.”
The Angel Gabriel brought the good news of Jesus and the reassurance that nothing is impossible with God. During this time in our lives who have been the angels? Who are the people who bring God’s good news that Jesus is with us? How are we reassured that “nothing is impossible with God”? How have we been angels to others, reassuring them that during this time of pandemic they do not walk alone? Can we say with a trusting heart, “May it be done to me according to your word.”
During this last week of Advent, let’s be angels to those around us.
Thanks so very much, Sister!
I loved your story about the little one wanting to be an Angel when she grew up!
I also like the question of " Who have we been Angels to?" Might we ponder Who are the Angels in our lives?" Or, I'd add, who have been the Angels in our lives and will be looking down on us this Christmas Night.
Thanks Sister. Merry Christ to you & all the Good Sisters. May 2021 be the start of a "new & improved normal."
An appreciative, Father Bill Jacobs