Mary never thought of herself (I)

Before the Annunciation, Mary already belonged to God. She was offered, she was given, she was poor, she was waiting. But she was still unaware of how the words of the Song of Songs were to be fulfilled in her: "I am my Beloved's, and his heart is turned towards me" (Sg 7: 10).

She undoubtedly knew the Scriptures by heart; she had understood their secret movement, the Christic orientation of each word ... She sought a Presence in them, she found a Person in whom all human hope was contained.

Her heart beat only in this prophecy: "The Virgin shall conceive and bear a son.” (Is 7: 14). She had never thought that it could be about her. Her gaze had only one direction from which it never departed. Her gaze was simple: she had never paid too much attention to herself.

When the appearance of the angel burst forth and the first Hail Mary resounded, she was confused: what was the meaning of his message? If he was telling the truth, if he came from God, his word must not contradict her intention to remain a virgin, which God himself had inspired in her:

- How can this be, since I have no relations with a man?

- The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you" (Luke 1: 34-35).

Convinced that it was God who was calling her, she consented to God’s request, with a word that has raised Creation to an admirable dignity and that restores it in an even more admirable manner: "Fiat. Behold the handmaid of the Lord, let it be done to me according to your word" (Luke 1:38).

Maurice Zundel (1897-1975)

Swiss Catholic priest and theologian