Saying Yes ..

Today we celebrate the feast of the Annunciation of the Lord. The feast in which we remember Mary's yes to God. I can't imagine for an instant that it was an easy yes but, thankfully, she had the courage to say it. Mary's Yes was no foregone conclusion. St Iranaeus, a great father of the Eastern Church, tells us that 'ALL of Creation held it's breath.. waiting for Mary's yes'. What a wonderful image and what a wonderful example of how God respects our freedom and choice.

We too have many opportunities to say Yes to God, just as Mary did. Lent is a great time to show, in a concrete way, our Yes. Saying Yes to God is not a one off event either, it is a daily, and sometimes hourly, event.

How do we say Yes? Well Jesus gives us the answer to this when he tells us to 'love God the Father with ALL your heart, ALL your mind and ALL your strength AND to love your neighbour as YOURSELF'. Not always easy, I know.

One yes that takes a lot of courage is to say the Yes to a Religious vocation. It is a step into the unknown, frightening and can change how the world sees you. But, and I speak from my own experience here, once you have said yes, any fear and anxiety turns to liberation, joy and peace. For me, it wasn't the easiest Yes I have ever said but it was, and is, the best one I have ever said.

So I leave you with one question: What Yes is God asking you to say today?

Hail Mary, Full of Grace
The Lord is with you and Blessed are you among women.
Blessed is the fruit of your womb .. Jesus.

Peace to you all on this beautiful day

Br Martin