Promises Fulfilled

Scripture’s characteristic word from heaven to earth is “Do not be afraid.” When an angel announces this to a human, the human is usually “in for it.” To understand Mary’s response, we must understand Gabriel’s announcement. It isn’t evident in English, but three crucial words in verses 28 and 30 contain the same Greek root: charis. Its changes in form reveal an important aspect of Mary’s response.

Charis can be translated as “grace,” “mercy,” or “good,” understood as manifesting divine presence, activity, and power. Gabriel’s greetings, “chaire,” implies “rejoice, be glad.” He calls Mary “favored one,” “kecharitomene,” from the verb charitoo, “to bestow or endow with grace.” It is in the perfect tense, which signifies an act completed in the past with continuing effects. It is also in the passive voice, which indicates that something is done to the subject; one doesn’t act but receives. To avoid saying the Sacred Name, some biblical writers use the passive voice when God is the actor. Mary was and continues to be favored or graced by God. She has been given something that she has maintained.

Gabriel’s declaration “you have found favor” can be translated as “you have discovered, come upon, or received charin.” If you find something, are you the source of it? Mary’s response, “Let it be with me” (allow it to happen), beautifully expresses her acceptance of God’s plan. Previous occurrences of grace suggest that she is giving back something she has received. Her fiat returns a gift to its giver. In Episcopal liturgy as the offerings are presented, the congregation says, “All things come of thee, O Lord, and of thine own have we given thee.” Mary has done so perfectly. Our challenge is to go and do likewise.