The Whole World Awaits Mary’s Reply

01-01-2017Weekly Reflection

From a homily, In Praise of the Virgin Mother by Saint Bernard

You have heard, O Virgin, that you will conceive and bear a son; you have heard that it will not be by man but by the Holy Spirit. The angel awaits an answer; it is time for him toreturn to God who sent him. We too are waiting, O Lady, for your word of compassion; thesentence of condemnation weighs heavily upon us.

The price of our salvation is offered to you. We shall be set free at once if you consent. Inthe eternal Word of God we all came to be, and behold, we die. In your brief response we areto be remade in order to be recalled to life.

Tearful Adam with his sorrowing family begs this of you, O loving Virgin, in their exilefrom Paradise. Abraham begs it, David begs it. All the other holy patriarchs, your ancestors,ask it of you, as they dwell in the country of the shadow of death. This is what the wholeearth waits for, prostrate at your feet. It is right in doing so, for on your word depends comfort forthe wretched, ransom for the captive, freedom for the condemned, indeed, salvation for all the sons of Adam, the whole of your race.

Answer quickly, O Virgin. Reply in haste to the angel, or rather through the angel to the Lord. Answer with a word, receive the Word of God. Speak your own word, conceive the divineWord. Breathe a passing word, embrace the eternal Word.

Why do you delay, why are you afraid? Believe, give praise, and receive. Let humility bebold, let modesty be confident. This is no time for virginal simplicity to forget prudence. Inthis matter alone, O prudent Virgin, do not fear to be presumptuous. Though modest silenceis pleasing, dutiful speech is now more necessary. Open your heart to faith, O blessed Virgin, your lips to praise, your womb to the Creator. See, the desired of all nations is at your door,knocking to enter. If he should pass by because of your delay, in sorrow you would begin toseek him afresh, the One whom your soul loves. Arise, hasten, open. Arise in faith, hasten indevotion, open in praise and thanksgiving. Behold the handmaid of the Lord, she says, be itdone to me according to your word.