Saturday March 25
The scene of the Announciation with its key figures—Angel Gabriel and Mary—is perhaps one of the most depicted Biblical events in art. But, if I had an artistic talent, I would love to depict the scene with Mary alone, focusing on the simple but profound final statement of the event in Luke: “And the angel left her”.
Gabriel came to her with the most momentous of tasks and waited and waited for her consent. Mary was troublked at heart nd had a few doubts.
Gabriel offered clarificatioons. Mary sytill did not understand what it all entailed, but she surrended herself totally to God’s plan. But the moment Mary said her “Yes”, the angel left her. There would be no more announciations or manifest interventions from heaven. No angel would visit her again. There would be no miraculous rescue when Herod threatened to kill the child. No heavenly aid would come to help her find the child Jesus lost in the Temple. After the Announciation, Mary would have to alk her path and live out her yes in the dark light of faith. To her redit, she did it to perfection. Blessed is she among all women and men who have walked and will walk the face of the earth.