As you say

This morning on the news was a story that sounds all too familiar. A student from a secular high school in Seattle had filed a protest, now a legal First Amendment issue in the courts, stating that she and the school orchestra she is part of we're refused permission by the school to play the beautiful, haunting piece of music entitled Ave Maria at the school graduation ceremony. We know this piece by the 18th century, Austrian composer Franz Schubert often heard at funerals or weddings. The reason given by the school? "Someone may feel it is too religious and be offended." Then, one teacher who agreed with the administration, admitted she didn't know the meaning of Ave Maria but it sounded "religious."

It can be tough out there for sure. Yes, the lyrics of the song are taken from the Catholic prayer the "Hail Mary," which we find in today's Gospel of Luke 1: 26-38. So it is religious in that sense. Yet, the student's position was, "We just wanted to play it as a beautiful piece of music. We enjoy playing it and thought it was appropriate for graduation." That was five years ago, apparently, and her appeal of this case was refused by the U.S. Supreme Court. First Amendment rights? The tension continues between Ceaser and God. We, however, have an entirely different perspective on that beautiful passage from Luke where we hear on today's Feast, "Hail, full of grace!"

Today is the Feast of the Annunciation. This year, on the brink of Holy Week, we pause from the usual Lenten theme and give thanks for the singular event that has changed human history: the Incarnation. Yes, on the 25th of March we are reminded that Christmas is just nine months away, December 25th. So, get that shopping list in order and hit those sales early.

In the young virgin of Nazareth, God silently stepped in to our history and extended his gracious mercy beyond what humankind could have ever imagined. That this Totally Other divine being, the creator of the universe and of all reality as we know it, humbled himself beyond necessity out of motives that can simply but profoundly be spoken in one word: LOVE.

God in the flesh - God made visible - God in this chosen woman has come to pitch his tent among us and has become incarnate, which literally means God has become "meat" (carne)-- flesh and bones in a human body to walk among us and reveal the truth of God's desire for humanity. If we are not moved by this overwhelming mystery then nothing could move us. The thought of God becoming a man is a major stretch for our Jewish and Moslem brethren since they have not yet moved to the Trinitarian image of God.

One thought that has always struck me, though, is Mary's reaction. "How can this be . . .?" (Lk 1: 34) Is she an early doubting Thomas? How is this possible? Why me? Am I on candid camera? (Sorry, don't mean to make light of this. A little humor never hurts.)

But, Mary is simply trying to wrap her head and mind around this vision before her. In her pure, young simple faith, as a Jewish maiden, she for the first time in her life, has been confronted with God's wonder in a deeply personal way unlike any human being before or since. The answer of the Angel is indeed reassuring, "Nothing is impossible with God." (Lk 1: 37). God will do this because he is God without limits. Do we believe in our heart of hearts that nothing is impossible with God? Do we live our lives according to that direct faith or just continue to try and control everything about us? When the chips are down, we fall on our knees in desperation and plead with God to solve our problems. But when things are going well, we often carry on as if everything depended on us alone.

Then, Mary states the most moving words of this story. "I am the maidservant of the Lord. Let it be done to me as you say." (Lk 1: 38) What Mary has offered to the angel is her total obedience to God's request. That's Mary's "it." Literally, what she says is "I am the slave of God and I will do my master's bidding, whatever he may ask of me." While I'm not particularly attracted to the concept of slavery, and I doubt that you are as well, Mary's total submission is indeed her legacy. This is her greatness and why the Church honors her with such respect as the model disciple. Let's put our ego aside for a day or two or more.

As you carry on with your day think of Mary and how she embraced this great and mysterious event. As the saying goes, the rest is history.