Here I am

Scripture                     Luke 1:26-45, Isaiah 6:8
Focus Verse                Luke 1:38
Mary said, “Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word.”

It is hard to imagine that thirteen-year-old Mary would have understood just what God was asking of her through the angel Gabriel.  Perhaps it takes someone so young and full of faith to respond so decisively to such a dangerous request.

The danger came from several different directions:  the danger inherent in giving birth at her age and in the historical time frame, the danger of revealing her pregnancy to the man she was engaged to and to her Jewish community, the danger of bearing the Messiah in the Roman Empire at the time of King Herod, a cruel and murderous man.

And yet, Like Isaiah the prophet long before, faithful young Mary cried out, “Here I am!”  These words are often spoken, even in the face of great danger or hardship, by those who feel strengthened by God to answer a special call upon their lives.

Reflection: Have you ever felt called for a purpose?  How did you feel?  How did you respond?  How did you see God move?

If music is a spiritual pathway for you, here is a link to a YouTube video.  Take a pause and listen to Jacque Darragh sing, "Do you Remember."  Jacque is a local artist who sings a story like no one else.  This song embodies the answer to God's call upon our lives throughout time, from Isaiah to Mary to each one of us!

Prayer: Breathing “The Jesus Prayer”        
Breathing in … Lord Jesus Christ
Breathing out … Have mercy
*pray by breathing this prayer repetitively until the prayer prays you. You’ll know the prayer is praying you when the words come to you at random times in random places.  You will simply feel the words on your lips, in sync with your breathing.  And you have begun the process of praying unceasingly through the power of the Holy Spirit! For more information about praying The Jesus Prayer, an ancient prayer form from the days of early Christian History, practiced by the Desert Mothers and Fathers, take this LINK ...