Saturday 21 December 2024

Psalm 100

Background
From 12 years of age I dreamed of becoming an occupational therapist. I had been to a careers fair and found information on radiography (my physics wasn’t up to that), physiotherapy (my maths wasn’t up to that one), speech therapy (at that time a privately funded course, which my parents could not afford) and occupational therapy – something I’d never heard of. Reading the information, I decided to choose occupational therapy and went off to train in Derby.

At the age of 22 I first ‘heard’ God calling me to be a local preacher and a couple of years later I was accredited, knowing, deep inside myself, that I was being ‘called’ to the Methodist ministry. I had a good career: I enjoyed my work and I also had a good life with amateur dramatics, voluntary youth work, a nice home, a husband, several cats and a dog. But initially I was not a willing candidate and frantically panel tapped my way through the whole selection process in the hopes of finding the secret passage out.

Here we read the story of Mary who seems, according to Luke’s version at least, to simply accept that God is calling her to something more, something special and is asking her to take a great risk in her faith in God.

Yes, we are told that she is initially troubled by the greeting (v. 28). The angel seeks to reassure her. I do wonder about this a little, as one possible interpretation of "Do not be afraid" (v. 30) is "Please stop screaming!"

By becoming pregnant before her marriage to Jospeh is ratified, Mary was opening herself to all manner of criticism, suspicion and accusation. She would bring shame on her family by being pregnant before the marriage and would possibly push Joseph away in the process. Then she would face the rumours and scepticism and the criticism and judgement of her local community which could pour scorn on her tale and even take her to be killed for infidelity.

To Ponder:

• We read, Mary had the faith to say ‘yes’ to God despite the cost. That raises a question for my own life and perhaps for yours as well. How prepared are you to say ‘yes’ to God despite all that stands against you?

Prayer
Lord, in a world of choices where behaviour and words are open to criticism, scepticism and mistrust, help us to live our lives in truth, openness and honesty. Give us the courage to be a people who say ‘yes’ to your Spirit’s guidance. Amen.

Bible notes author: The Revd Una McLean
Una is a retired presbyter living in Northumberland with her small dog Patricia. She enjoys all manner of craft work, reading, theatre, cinema and music. She also participates in Traildog events, which grew out of people running in local park runs with their dogs (today she and Patricia walk them as Una treasures her knees).