Scripture: Luke 1:26-38
Journal: How are you drawn to the idea of being overshadowed by the
power of the Most High? How are you
resistant to it? What is God inviting
you to? What is your response to his
invitation?
Reflection:
The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of
the Most High will overshadow you.” (Luke 1:35)
What an absolutely beautiful
phrase: The power of the Most High will overshadow you! It is the essence of the spiritual life; Mary
shows us that. The angel comes to her
and says that the power of the Most High God will overshadow her, and
her response is simply, “I am the Lord’s servant. Let it be to me as you have said.” She recognizes that her life is not about her,
but about God. He is the one writing the
story, and a far bigger story than she can possibly imagine. A story in which he is the focal point—his
holiness, his character, his love—and she is simply the willing recipient. We would do well to follow her lead.
For some reason, we
continually try to make it all about us.
We are deeply resistant to the idea of being overshadowed. And the world in which we live reinforces
that resistance. Our world encourages us
to never let anyone or anything overshadow us.
Be heard! Be seen! Demand that those around you take notice of
you! Yet the life of the Spirit
encourages the direct opposite of this.
Be last. Be lowest. Be least.
That is the life Jesus calls us to.
That is the life in which the work of the Spirit is on full display.
Mary was willing to be
overshadowed. The Greek word used here
is episkiazō, which means to cast shade upon, or to be
enveloped in a haze of brilliance.
It is the same word used to describe what happened at the
Transfiguration when the disciples were enveloped by the cloud (Luke 9:34). Simply put, Mary was willing to disappear
into God, to be completely enveloped by him.
She was willing to give up all rights and expectations and demands for
herself because, ultimately, she was the Lord’s servant—his desire, his
life, and his glory was what really mattered.
What about me? Is it the same for me? Am I willing to be overshadowed by the
power of the Most High? Am I willing
to live the overshadowed life? Am
I willing to disappear into God, that he may live his life in and through
me? Thanks be to God that Mary was
willing to be overshadowed. I
pray that I will be as well.
Prayer
Closing
Prayer: Yes, Father!
Yes! And always Yes! ~Francis de Sales
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