How Do We Handle the Unexpected?

The Annunciation

I just got some great news that I am going to be a grandma! Suddenly, everything has changed. The future is suddenly a different place and preparations must be made. We are all in a whirlwind of joyous activity.

Like everyone, I have also had my share of bad news and events. A much loved relative has passed away, my son has autism,  our home caught on fire. And again, the future suddenly changed and preparations must be made. Activities are done with a heavier heart this time.

How do we handle the changes and upheavals which happen in our lives? Mary is a wonderful model of how to confront and face them. She received the most unexpected news of probably anyone who ever lived!

Let's take a  look at the story of the annunciation and see what she did. The first interesting point is that the angel Gabriel greeted her with "Hail favored one!" instead of the usual "Fear Not!". The next thing he says is "do not be afraid,Mary" but this unusual greeting gives us our first look inside Mary's head. She was, of course greatly troubled by the sudden appearance of an angel, but pondered over what it meant.

In other words, Mary did not lose her head. She didn't panic but rather stayed calm, rational, and tried to think things out before acting or reacting.

The next thing Mary did was listen carefully to what Gabriel told her about her bearing the Son of God. Then again, instead of becoming emotional, whether sad or glad, she asked an intelligent question. A pretty obvious one as well. "How can this be since I have no relations with a man?" Other translations say "how can this be since I am a virgin".

Note that Mary was not questioning the validity of Gabriel's words. She prudently wanted an explanation. Gabriel gave her one and even added in some important information about the pregnancy of her cousin Elizabeth.

It was after this that Mary gave her "yes" to the angel, God, and the miracle of Jesus' birth. "Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word."

Mary's reaction to the news that was to change the course of her life was with calm, temperance, and willingness. And it turns out that this was exactly what was needed for the coming times. A bumpy ride to Bethlehem when she was about to give birth could not have been much fun.

How about giving birth with no other woman or midwife present, an unheard of event in that time, and in a place that was definitely not up to Jewish standards of cleanliness.

The flight into Egypt to save the life of Jesus from a mad man who murdered thousands of children.

 and finally settling in a place, Nazareth, which was not their hometown. Mary stood at the foot of the cross and watched Jesus die.

Mary did not panic, complain, or give way to self pity. She is the very image of fortitude, temperance, and wisdom that comes from absolute faith in God. In fact, we view these images nowadays as part of the beautiful story of our faith.  Although entirely feminine, Mary has inner strength and backbone that emerges as both gentle and womanly.

In Christ we already have the strength to face whatever comes our way. Let's try to be like Mary when unexpected events burst into our lives.