How shall this be

First Reading: Psalm: Gospel:

Isaiah 9:1-6 Psalm 113:1-8 Luke 1:26-38

Luke 1:34  And Mary said to the angel, "How shall this be, since I have no husband?"

The fact that Mary had no husband is important here.  She was betrothed.  So she soon would have a husband and there was no time limit given for this amazing thing to happen, so it would seem that she could still conceive with her husband.  This tends to imply and be consistent with other tradition that Mary was in fact a "virgin" by choice.  In today's culture you might consider her a nun.  She was dedicated to her faith and had no intention of having sexual relations.

So the question then is significant.  Mary would have to go back on her vow to fulfill the word of God.  Or, that is what she thought.  But God doesn't as us to go back on our word, but rather to remain faithful to it.  That is how we are then able to see the miracles that God can do.  Mary didn't need to ask how can this be.  She could have made it happen.  But to remain faithful she couldn't see how it would happen.

So if you want to see miracles, you may have to show some faith first.

Father, help me by your Holy Spirit to trust you completely and to remain faithful in order to see the mighty works that you can do.  Help me not to rely on myself, but to trust in you.

Amen