On the feast of the Annunciation we celebrate Mary’s yes to God. We remember Mary’s strong and clear words – “Let it be according to your word ” and that Jesus was able to take flesh because Mary gave him that possibility.
Today we give thanks for women like Mary, whose “yes” have had far-reaching consequences. We give thanks for Brigid of Kildare, our Patroness whose “yes” to God allowed new patterns of relationships and monastic life to flourish. We give thanks for women such as Rosa Parks, mother of the civil rights movement and Josephine Bakhita, Patroness of trafficked people.
May we draw on Mary’s courage and that of other courageous women as we say yes to our personal and Congregational callings at this time, knowing that the God who calls us is faithful and will not fail us.
(Fra Angelico)