Ann Fontaine has some good things to say about the Feast of the Annunciation today at Episcopal Cafe.
Over at America, John Kilgallen notes that Mary said, "Yes" to her God without knowing what her love for God would entail.
But this overlooks a careful reading of Luke. Mary's first reaction to the angel's message is concern followed by "considering in her mind what sort of greeting this might be." This is a verb of cognition connoting to reason, ponder, consider, argue and discuss. Jesus and the disciples do it often in the gospels. But translations and interpretations tend to minimize women's intellectual activities, and particularly this young woman's. When the angel clarifies, she has another query: "How will this be since I do not know a man?" So Mary's assent, when it comes, is on the basis of careful inquiry and consideration.
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