Sunday 27 December 2009

Background

Shakespeare is accredited with having coined the phrase "Love isblind" in The Merchant of Venice, but the phenomenon existed longbefore it was worded into an expression.

Luke's Gospel tells how Mary was fully aware that she was going togive birth to the Son of God after she was visited by the angelGabriel. Gabriel tells her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you havefound favour with God. And now, you will conceive in your womb andbear a son, and you will name him Jesus. He will be great, and willbe called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give himthe throne of his ancestor David" (1:30-32). Mary is perplexed atthis revelation, "How can this be, since I am a virgin?" (1:34) butGabriel explains, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and thepower of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child tobe born will be holy; he will be called Son of God"(1:35-36).

After Gabriel's visit, Mary goes to see her cousin Elizabeth whotells her, "Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruitof your womb" (1:42). Mary then rejoices, "My soul magnifies theLord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour" (1:46-47).

It is clear Mary knew that something very extraordinary was aboutto happen to her, and yet the magnitude of the revelation is notalways within her comprehension. When Mary and Joseph realise thatthe 12-year-old Jesus had not returned home with them after thefestival of Passover in Jerusalem, they are astonished to find him,after a search, sitting in the Temple in Jerusalem. Mary says toher son, "Child, why have you treated us like this? Look, yourfather and I have been searching for you in great anxiety". Despitehaving been told 12 years earlier that her son was the Son of God,Mary does not understand Jesus when he answers her: "Why were yousearching for me? Did you not know that I must be in my father'shouse?"

To Ponder

Have you ever been so blinded by your concern fora loved one that you have misunderstood them? What happened?

What do you think Mary must have felt when sheheard Jesus' answer to her in the Temple?