“And Mary said, ‘Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.’ And the angel departed from her.” (Luke 1:38).
Although last year has been a blessed year in many many ways, it has also been a very difficult and challenging year for my family.
Among my family and friends, there have been four people who are either related to me or who are very close friends of mine who were diagnosed with cancer of some form. OF these diagnoses, three are terminal.
And I have been reflecting on this because it is one thing to think theoretically about the end of this Earthly life, but quite another to be smacked (very unexpectedly) in the face with it…
And the very fact that these diagnosis were probably of the worst that a human being could receive in terms of life expectancy, has meant that there are many many factors to consider in confronting the one sure thing in this world.
While I may be rich or poor, while I may be successful or not, while I may be educated or have a wonderful career or not, the one certain thing in this world is that I shall die. In fact – every single would who ever lived on this earth with the POSSIBLE exception of the Blessed Virgin, was born and died…
So this terminal diagnosis is actually a diagnosis that I carry and so does every single living soul. Our Earthly lives are terminal and any idea that this is not the case is mere nonsense and cowardice in attempting to deny the undeniable truth that there will be a moment of judgement at the end of my days…
And I have been reflecting on the terminal nature of the Blessed Virgin’s Fiat. When the Blessed Virgin said YES to the Angel when she was asked to be the Mother of Christ, she was a thirteen or fourteen year old girl. At that time and in Jewish Culture and Law, if she were found to be with child before having had sexual relations with her husband (or betrothed) she would be stoned to death for adultery.
That meant that when the Blessed Virgin said YES to becoming the Mother of God what she was really saying YES to was certain death. She was really accepting that her Earthly life was terminal and that she would die and die soon and in a painful and barbaric manner. And instead of asking the Angel about how much time she might have left on Earth, or why it was put on her to bear such a death, instead – with COMPLETE trust in God – “And Mary said, ‘Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.’ And the angel departed from her.” (Luke 1:38). And what she was really saying here was that she was willing to place her whole life and her death at God’s mercy and in God’s hands – without question.
And I have been reflecting on that today, because it seems possibly the most miraculous thing that the world has ever seen and I have much to be thankful to the Virgin for… After all, at her terminal diagnosis, she completely trusted God and I pray for the Grace to do the same thing with my life and my death…
For with prayer, I stand on Holy Ground where everything is clear. Here. At the Foot of the Cross.