Feast Day - The Annunciation of Mary

Mary’s Example

We’re celebrating another feast day today—this time for the Annunciation of Mary! This feast day is 9 months before Christmas Day (surprise, surprise) and it celebrates the angel’s announcement to Mary regarding her pregnancy and new role as the mother of God.¹

Mary is the ideal example of so many spiritual qualities that we can aspire to—her simple “yes” of obedience², her Magnificat³, her love for her cousin Elizabeth⁴, her treasuring heart⁵ and so many other topics that I have found rich spiritual strength from over the years. But there’s another aspect of Mary’s life that I want to focus on today: her domestic life after Jesus was born and before he started his ministry.

His growing up years.

Prayer Filled Routines

Mary would have had household chores just like the rest of us—washing clothes, going to the market to pick up fresh produce, cleaning the house. I imagine she would have been busy running after our Lord as a young boy or providing yummy meals for Joseph.

There have been times in my own life when I’ve felt bitterness creep in while doing menial tasks. I feel guilty for being a “Martha”—moving from one thing to the next without setting aside proper time to pray.

When I talked to my priest about this, he painted that beautiful image of Mary’s daily routines and reminded me of how every act of service done for God is a form of prayer in itself.

Daily Rhythms

This has dramatically improved my attitude throughout my day; especially when I stand next to the sink to wash the dishes, or clean the toilet, or take out the trash. Each action is an opportunity to send up a prayerful offering to God.

So today, we remember the Annunciation which initiated Mary’s life of service to her Lord and Saviour—and we remember the daily routines she would have had just like the rest of us for years and years after. We honour her for her simple yes to God and we offer up our own simple yes in everything we do too.

Preparing Our Hearts

Knowing every action is an opportunity to offer our entire lives to God, how can we take our daily routines and turn them into intentional prayer moments?

1

Luke 1:26-38

2

Luke 1:38

3

Luke 1:46-55

4

Luke 1:39-45

5

Luke 2:19