With Mary’s fiat, God became man, Mary: Day 194

With Mary’s fiat, God became man

When the angel spoke to Mary, declares St. Alphonsus, the world breathlessly awaited her yes to God. The salvation of the human race depended upon her fiat.

Our Lord would not become Mary’s Son without her previous consent.
So the angel speaks, and in humility she hesitates to respond. But why this delay, Mary? “The angel awaits your reply,” says St. Bernard; “and we also—on whom the sentence of condemnation weighs so heavily—we await the word of mercy.”

We, who are already condemned to death, are waiting. “Behold, the price of our salvation is offered to you; we will be instantly delivered if you consent,” continues St. Bernard. Behold, mother of us all, the price of our salvation will be the divine Word, made man in you. In that same moment in which you accept him for your Son, we will be delivered from death. For your Lord himself desires your consent.

“Answer then, sacred Virgin!” says an ancient writer. “Why do you delay in giving life to the world?” Reply quickly, Lady! No longer delay the salvation of the world, which now depends upon your consent.

But see, Mary already answers. She replies to the angel: “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word” (Lk 1:38). What more beautiful, more humble, or more prudent answer could all the wisdom of men and angels together have invented, had they reflected for a million years?

A powerful answer, which rejoiced heaven, and brought an immense sea of graces and blessings into the world! The answer had scarcely fallen from the lips of Mary, when it drew the only-begotten Son of God from the bosom of his Eternal Father, to become man in her most pure womb!

Yes, indeed; for as soon as she had uttered these words, “the Word became flesh” (Jn 1:14), the Son of God became also the Son of Mary. “O powerful fiat!” exclaims St. Thomas of Villanova. “O effective fiat! O fiat to be venerated above every other fiat! For with a fiat, God created light, heaven, earth; but with Mary’s fiat, God became man, like us.” —St. Alphonsus Liguori, The Glories of Mary

IN GOD’S PRESENCE, CONSIDER . . .
In what circumstances of my life is God waiting to hear my fiat, my “let it be,” giving my consent to his will?

CLOSING PRAYER
Lord, I am your servant; let it be done to me according to your word and your will.

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