Full of Grace

Homily for Friday, December 20

The conversation that takes place between the angel Gabriel and the young maiden of Nazareth is so familiar to us that we might overlook everything except what we refer to as Mary’s “Fiat.” However, I would like to talk about something that the angel says to Mary. “Hail, full of grace.”

We are told these words bring about some anxiety in Mary. The angel answers that anxiety with the familiar words, “Do not be afraid, for you have found favor with God.” Mary is told that she is full of grace. In other words, Mary is full of life – specifically, God’s life. Grace is, in fact, the life of God which dwells within us when we are in a right relationship with the Lord. To be full of grace means that she is full of beauty, full of honor, and is full of glory.

The message that the angel brings to Mary immediately speaks to her of the danger that could happen if others were to find that she is with child before Joseph has taken her into his home. We might even be able to think that it is possible to hide her pregnancy, but in this particular culture it would be immediately known by all the women in the village, for Mary would no longer be participating in the monthly ritual that was incumbent on all Jewish women after her monthly courses. Knowledge of her pregnancy could result in her death.

She is, however, able to respond to the angel’s message with a will to do that which God asks of her. She accepts the message of the angel and puts her faith in the words that he has spoken. If she is indeed full of grace, there is nothing that she cannot overcome. God’s grace, God’s life would triumph over all who might do her harm. Whenever I read the words that the angel speaks at the opening of this conversation, I am reminded of another passage from the Christian Scriptures; namely, St. Paul’s affirmation that he “I can do all this through him who gives me strength.” Indeed, I sometimes wonder whether St. Paul was inspired to say this by the example that Mary gives.

As we receive Jesus in the Eucharist today, the words are also spoken to us. We are full of grace, full of God’s life as we participate in this sacred meal. Nothing will impede us today, for we can also do all through Jesus who gives us strength.