Reflection for the Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord
There is always a peculiar uneasiness in having to project a character with “childlike trust.”
Our conditioning in life has constantly directed us to become uncompromisingly selective and discriminating. We have always been taught that “maturity” meant “never being predisposed to a childlike self-giving,” which supports the ubiquitous parental warning never to heed a stranger’s words or advice. We have also been taught about the “superior sapience” of our species, that nothing can and will remain beyond our quest for knowledge and explanations, and that nobody is beyond measurable assessment and judgment.
However, in the process of applying rational thinking — in considering to be truthful only what we can perceive with our senses, or what we can justify with our minds — we are at the same time, emptying and denying our hearts of the joy that comes with the “surprise of mystery.” Isn’t there anything wonderful or more beautiful beyond what we believe to be “real”? Wouldn’t it be frustrating to merely accept borders to possibilities, and limitations to love?
The grace of our Father God fills up the void in our spirits, enlightening us with the joy of the “surprise of mystery.” It is his grace that enables us to see and understand what our hearts and minds cannot see nor understand; it lifts us from our finiteness, carrying us into the infinite expanse of his divine realm.
That is why the saints — our models for the service we must render for the kingdom — are enabled to perform ordinary tasks in an extraordinary manner. For them, the goal of achieving justice and peace through selfless love is possible, because “nothing is impossible with God.” Without his grace, we feel we are alone in a solitary struggle through life; with grace, we will know that he has been with us all this time.
It is through this grace that we are humbled. We will see more clearly that the cosmos is not what we decide to make of it, but what God intends for it to be, and what we do in order for it to become according to his purposes — the ongoing project of creation is a celestial “joint venture.” Success then is not “our success in the fulfillment our human designs,” but “our success in the achievement of his holy will,” for which he truly deserves all praises and thanks, and for which we truly deserve nothing.
Though God’s grace may appear to downplay our social action initiatives as “mere performance of Christian duty,” his providence is abundant and his gifts will be much more than what we can ever hope for. Most importantly, his grace brings with it the immeasurable and powerful love of the Giver, a faithful divine love much greater than our humanity. Such immense love can only evoke in us a childlike trust towards a trustworthy Parent.
So, it is also through this grace that we are made truly great. We are uplifted when because of childlike trust, we willingly humble ourselves as we descend to the level of serving the least of the brethren. We are destined to be honored in heaven when because of childlike trust, we willingly humble ourselves as we obey the Lord and place ourselves at the disposal of him who in his intrinsic goodness, did the same.
If we are on the other hand, not open to God’s grace; if we are in doubt and untrusting in the surprise of his mystery; if we are not fully predisposed to a wisdom and will much broader than our own; if we are unconvinced in a perfect love much deeper than we can imagine, then like Zechariah, we may be “struck dumb,” silenced at the folly of refusing to place faith in unseen goodness and in amazing uncertainties. Worse, we must not put God to the test by using times of prosperity or adversity as occasions of judging our Lord whether or not “he is or can still be good” to us.
In serving the kingdom, we cannot have a singular reliance on our intellect and good works, for they all come from God; so why not simply trust God instead? Childlike trust reinforces our availability and readiness to listen, to proclaim and to do for his kingdom whatever needs to be done, even under the threat of persecution. And childlike trust strengthens our conviction that we shall in return be blessed with the hope of his mercy; that whatever he allows to happen to us in following the sacrifice of the Christ to help create a new world, will always be meant to bring us back to him.
Like Mary our Mother, let us make our common prayer of surrender: I am the servant of the Lord, let it be done to me as you have said.
Brother Jess Matias is a professed brother of the Secular Franciscan Order. He serves as minister of the St. Pio of Pietrelcina Fraternity at St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Mandaluyong City, coordinator of the Padre Pio Prayer Groups of the Capuchins in the Philippines and prison counselor and catechist for the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology.
The views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the editorial stance of LiCAS.news.
