“In describing the arc of the conversation of Gabriel and Mary, the gospel of Luke perfectly describes the arc of the spiritual life: God initiates the conversation; we are initially hesitant and fearful; we seek to understand God's word in our life; God reminds us of our experience, and, free to choose, if we say yes to God, we are able to bring new life into the world.” - Fr James Martin

March 25
The divine entering the ordinary world

- What are your initial thoughts on the Annunciation?

- God is the one that begins the conversation. Do you allow God to begin the conversation in your life?

-What those things where God begins to move us? (Nature, babies, friendships) And are we surprised when this happens?

-Mary fully entered into her vocation as mother and follower of God. my vocation is not only the way that I love God, but also the way that God loves me. How is this present in your life?

-just as in many important scenes in scripture the angel Gabriel tells Mary to not be afraid. How do you overcome fear in order to say yes to God?

-In order for Mary to give her fiat she looks at where God has been present-what he has already done for her and Elizabeth. Have you had this experience of being able to trust God once you look at where he’s been present before?

- The last part is faith. The angel eventually leaves Mary and she carries on based on faith. Even though God is with us it can seem lonely.