But Mary said to the angel, “How can this be since I have no relations with a man?”

Mary’s response to the angel Gabriel is often interpreted as Mary saying that she was a virgin and that she wanted to remain such. Be that as it may, Mary is basically saying here that she had “no relations with a man” and that she was nothing, hardly deserving of God’s favor. Women in Jesus’ day were all dependent on men. Even today, a Chinese woman told me once that when she was young, she was totally reliant on her father; when she married, she became dependent on her husband; and when her husband died, she was totally dependent on her oldest son.

When Gabriel reassured her that God had chosen her nonetheless, Mary assented with, “Behold, the handmaid of the Lord.” Handmaid is a rather anemic way of translating the Greek word “doule,” whose literal meaning is slave. Though this continues Mary’s protestation of humility, it is also a complete commitment to her new vocation. Mary is linking herself with people like Abraham, Moses, Joshua, David, and some great prophets, all of whom were called slaves of the Lord. Mary, like them, was agreeing to play a crucial role in salvation history.

At Mass, we not only renew our baptismal commitment but we are also challenged to go forth and make a difference in our world. Jesus depends on us to continue the work of salvation he had begun. Working to bring salvation to our world is not reserved for the clergy or religious; it is for those of us called by God to be his hands and feet in our world.

Am I willing to be God’s slave in our world today and every day?

Let Us Pray:

O gracious Lord, give me the courage to be your faithful slave in our world. Give me insight into bringing your love and compassion wherever I am.