All That Glittered … But So What?

Once I heard a story and this is my version of it …

In the long ago time, an individual died and went to Heaven. She, of course, was promptly and courteously greeted by St. Peter at the gate - a plain old wooden door with squeaky hinges. An entrance, she thought, didn’t look anything glamorous or extraordinary that was fitted for “Heaven”. She began to wonder if she was at the “right” place. She was dying to ask St. Peter where they were going but thought better to keep her mouth shut. As they’re walking down a lovely path, she couldn’t help but steal glances at St. Peter whose smile never left his face. Alas, she couldn’t hold it in anymore and started babbling about the door, where they might be going, and what she’d done or not done with her life. St. Peter just kept quiet. Finally, she confessed that she felt God had not given her much to work with in the first place, therefore, she wasn’t able to accomplish much in life. St. Peter just kept smiling. After walking for what felt like a lifetime, St. Peter led her down a narrow path, opened a door, and declared that they’d arrived, “Voilà!” Her eyes were blinded by the light coming from the heart of the room filled with glittering boxes: large ones, small ones, round ones, triangular ones, square ones, animal-shaped ones and boxes decorated with glorious ribbons beyond any human imagination. While feeling overwhelmed by the beauty and novelty in front of her, she experienced a “déjà vu” moment. She felt like she’d seen this before. As she turned toward St. Peter, he was already nodding his head at her, “These were all the gifts given to you in your lifetime, but you never opened them!”

In this week’s first reading, God lovingly proclaims his promise to David the gift of all gifts, a king to whom God “will be a father”, and “shall come forth from [David’s] body” to establish God’s kingdom (2 Sam 7:12-14). Indeed, God’s faithfulness endures forever. His promise is fulfilled when He sends Angel Gabriel to Mary, a lowly virgin who would never imagine herself to become the Mother of God. Mary’s reaction is priceless; she is “perplexed” yet willing to ponder God’s words. How often do we have similar feelings of apprehension? If we pay enough attention and take courage, we will notice the abundance of gifts freely given to us by our loving Father. The question is not how much we have been given, but do we dare to venture down the narrow path, enter the room and open these gift boxes? Mary is “perplexed” but Gabriel reassures her, “Do not be afraid” and that she has found “favour with God” (Lk 1:30). When Mary chooses to open this special gift and says “yes”, her life is changed in an instant. Marianne Williamson writes,

Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate, our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small doesn’t serve the world. [...] And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.

“For nothing will be impossible for God”, Luke declares (Lk 1: 37). Through Mary’s courage and trust, and perhaps sense of adventure, we are liberated from our own fear and be free to open those glittering boxes. Mary’s “fiat” brings the world a Suffering Servant, a King, and a Saviour. What would our “fiat” bring to the world? When we shed off our fear and timidity, we let God’s light shine through us and encourage others to do the same.

As we conclude our preparation during Advent and enter into the Christmas season, let us remember God’s faithfulness and proclaim His steadfast love, “You are my Father, my God, and the rock of my salvation!” (Ps 89:26)