In Nazareth, a young woman received a message. Gabriel appeared to her with an announcement beyond imagination: she would conceive and bear a son, the Son of the Most High.
"How will this be, since I am a virgin?"Luke 1:34
She asked for understanding, not escape. And when Gabriel explained that the Holy Spirit would come upon her, she gave her answer:
"Behold, I am the servant of the Lord;Luke 1:38
let it be to me according to your word."
For nothing will be impossible with God.Luke 1:37
She went to visit her cousin Elizabeth in the hill country of Judah. When Elizabeth greeted her, Mary sang:
"My soul magnifies the Lord,Luke 1:46-49 (The Magnificat)
and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant.
For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed;
for he who is mighty has done great things for me,
and holy is his name."
"He has shown strength with his arm;Luke 1:51-53 (The Magnificat)
he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts;
he has brought down the mighty from their thrones
and exalted those of humble estate;
he has filled the hungry with good things,
and the rich he has sent away empty."
"He has helped his servant Israel,Luke 1:54-55 (The Magnificat)
in remembrance of his mercy,
as he spoke to our fathers,
to Abraham and to his offspring forever."
My heart exults in the Lord;1 Samuel 2:1-2 (Hannah's Prayer)
my horn is exalted in the Lord.
There is none holy like the Lord:
for there is none besides you.
After the shepherds visited the newborn Jesus in Bethlehem, Luke writes:
"But Mary treasured up all these things,Luke 2:19
pondering them in her heart."
When Jesus was twelve, his parents found him in the Temple, teaching the elders. Mary and Joseph didn't understand. Again Luke writes:
"And his mother treasured up all these things in her heart."Luke 2:51
I will ponder all your work,Psalm 77:12
and meditate on your mighty deeds.
At a wedding in Cana, the wine ran out. Mary noticed and brought the need to Jesus.
"They have no wine."John 2:3
Jesus gave an enigmatic response. Mary simply turned to the servants and said:
"Do whatever he tells you."John 2:5
These are her last recorded words in Scripture.
John writes simply:
"Standing by the cross of Jesus were his motherJohn 19:25
and his mother's sister,
Mary the wife of Clopas,
and Mary Magdalene."
Not fleeing. Not collapsing. Standing.
When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to his mother, "Woman, behold, your son!" Then he said to the disciple, "Behold, your mother!" And from that hour the disciple took her to his own home.John 19:26-27
A sword will pierce through your own soul also.Luke 2:35 (Simeon's prophecy)
After the Ascension, in the upper room between promise and fulfillment, the apostles gathered. Luke's last mention of Mary:
"All these with one accord were devoting themselves to prayer,Acts 1:14
together with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus,
and his brothers."
She was present at the Incarnation when the Spirit overshadowed her.
She is present at the Church's birth when the Spirit descends.
A Prayer with Mary
Holy Mary, Mother of God,
you heard the angel's message
and gave your yes.
Teach us to say "let it be"
when God's call seems impossible.
You sang of a God who exalts the lowly,
feeds the hungry,
and remembers His mercy.
Give us hearts that magnify the Lord.
You pondered mysteries you didn't understand—
teach us to treasure what we don't yet grasp,
trusting that God is at work.
You brought the needs of others to Jesus—
teach us simple intercession.
You told the servants,
"Do whatever he tells you."
Teach us to listen to your Son.
You stood at the cross when others fled—
give us courage to remain faithful
even in suffering.
Pray for us, Holy Mother of God,
that we may become worthy
of the promises of Christ.
Amen.