December 20, 2024 // Friday of the Third Week of Advent
Read the Word // Open your Bible to today’s Gospel: Luke 1:26-38
Reflect on the Word //
The pit in my stomach pained me. He doesn’t believe in using contraception? I was in a serious relationship with a wonderful, handsome Catholic man, and we were discerning a call to marriage. This particular day, however, I wasn’t so sure about our future, because it felt like he had just dropped a bomb on me. How could he possibly think that is a practical idea? Is he expecting me to have seventeen children!? Though a faithfully practicing Catholic myself, somehow I had never fully realized the Church’s teaching regarding contraception within marriage, and I was shocked.
“How can this be?” (Luke 1:34)
As I came to learn, study, and pray with the Church’s vision for a husband and wife and their fertility, the Lord was ever so gentle and kind. I had been naive, and saw only through the lens of our modern culture. In time I understood the Church’s teachings were an invitation to true freedom and love, not a harsh set of rules from an out-of-touch patriarchy. I had desired control and my own will. The Lord asked me to trust Him.
By His grace and in His great generosity, the Lord not only softened my heart, but changed it. When I opened myself to Him as Mary did in today’s Gospel, the Holy Spirit filled me and showed me the beauty and wisdom in the Lord’s plan for a husband and wife. I admittedly still had some reservations and anxieties, but made the choice to surrender to His request. “Nothing will be impossible for God” (Luke 1:37) —not even a change of heart on something so monumental and life-changing.
At some point in life, each of us will face moments where we feel like the Lord is asking something extraordinary of us. We may be afraid, confused, or hardhearted towards an invitation from Jesus and His Church. As we approach the Nativity in a few days, sister, let us be reminded of the precious fruit of Mary’s yes. Our dear Blessed Mother walks with us on our journey of faith, her courage and obedience the most beautiful encouragement.
Relate to the Lord // Where do you need the Lord’s grace to soften your heart? Ask Him.
O Antiphon:
O Key of David,
opening the gates of God’s eternal Kingdom:
come and free the prisoners of darkness!
Elise Howe is a wife, mother, vocal artist, and teacher. She is most joyful when creating with the inspiration of the Divine Artist. Elise hopes to live a life full of authentic beauty—especially through her song, her cut-flower garden, great books, delicious ice cream, and her yes to the Father. A born-and-raised Midwestern gal, she happily resides in Michigan with her husband, son, and two daughters. She was a contributing author to Set a Fire and Blessed Conversations: Misericordia.
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