Have you ever heard a classic story a million times and then one day it revealed itself to be something else entirely?
That’s how I felt after a lifetime of hearing the Annunciation to Mary story in my Catholic tradition as encouraging woman’s submissiveness, and then one day seeing right there in black and white it’s a story modeling the initial steps on the path of the mystic.
In the Gospel of Luke, the Angel Gabriel first visits an elderly priest and then a young woman. The priest’s response (like doubting Thomas) is a need for proof: “How can I be sure of this?” He’s then punished for his disbelief by being struck mute.
The young woman, in contrast, thoughtfully ponders, wisely asks to understand and then trusts what is beyond understanding before courageously choosing to birth God into the world. In the next scene, far from mute, she radically and poetically exclaims the transformative power of God in the Magnificat.
How shocking to finally see that to follow the example of Mary is to be open, contemplative and bold, not meekly submissive. When masculine-centered interpretations have been repeated for ages, it’s exhilarating to finally rip off those lenses and see a strong woman and empowering message appear before our eyes. Spirit moves through each of us and Mary shows us the way to align with this movement and birth radical love into the world.
The Annunciation is just one of the stories we explore in the online retreat series: Mystical Metaphors of Christmas. The path of the mystic continues with the Journey of the Magi and the Annunciation to the Shepherds before ultimately taking us to the Nativity. Join us for this meditative retreat filled with visual art, guided visualization and reflective writing. This series has become an annual tradition for some participants, a way to keep going a bit deeper into the heart of this sacred story.
