Mary's call story
We tend to move past Mary’s perplexed and pondering, wordless response to Gabriel’s next words. But translators have made this story easier for us by using “perplexed” or “confused.” The actual Greek word means, “to be wholly disturbed.” No wonder the next thing Gabriel says to her is “Don’t be afraid.”
To such an announcement, Mary responds, “Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word.” Such a pious and unassuming response. We have a similar picture of Mary on Christmas Eve. Where the heavenly host is once again announcing the Good News of Great Joy—and Mary is simply pondering these things in her heart (Luke 2:1-19).
How easy it is for us to forget that this is a call story. Just as with Moses’ burning bush, David’s anointing by Samuel, or Paul’s Damascus Road. Our understanding of scripture is often cast from the perspective of men. And to some extent, I think we’ve done this with Mary.
