Embracing the Light in Uncertainty
2nd Week of Advent Personal Reflection by Dominic T
“Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord; let it be done to me according to Your Word.”
(Luke 1:38)
This was Mary’s profound response at the Annunciation when the Angel Gabriel foretold that she would become the mother of Jesus. She said “yes” even when she didn’t fully understand the immense impact of what was to come.
We often prefer to be in control of our lives, amassing as much knowledge as possible so that we can obtain our desired outcomes. Feelings of doubt and uncertainty will clutter our hearts whenever we are faced with challenges or situations that are not in our favour. And so, we often ask God, “Why me?”
At our recent Advent retreat, I found the answer through a “Prayer with Art” activity where we were asked to design mosaic sun-catchers with beads and broken glass. I learned that it is only when we create space that light can shine through to magnify the inherent beauty of the beads and the broken glass of our lives.
Mary’s answer to our doubts and uncertainties is her courageous willingness to let go and allow God to take control. This surrender is beautifully captured in her prayer of praise to God, the Magnificat, “My soul glorifies the Lord, my spirit rejoices in God my saviour… The Almighty works marvels for me, holy is His name!”
As we celebrate the Feast of the Immaculate Conception this week, may we strive to emulate Mary’s trust in God by making room in our hearts during this holy season. When we do, His light can shine through the spaces to illuminate the darkness around and within us.
Mary Makes Room in Trust
Reflection for the 2nd week of Advent
God often enters the ordinary and unexpected. When the angel came to Mary, it wasn’t in a grand temple, but in Nazareth, a nowhere town. God chooses unlikely places, and unlikely people, for grace. Mary wasn’t troubled by the angel’s presence, but by being called “favored” (Luke 1:26–38). Like many who feel marginalized, she questioned her worthiness: “Me? Favored by God?”
God’s call is always personal: “You will conceive in your womb…” He works through our real lives, not the idealized versions. Mary responded with an honest question: “How can this be?” God does not demand blind acceptance but welcomes our sincere wonder.
Her ultimate “yes” was not passive, but a courageous choice made in freedom and trust. Mary aligned herself with God’s dream for the world. This commitment didn’t depend on her strength, but on God’s: “The Holy Spirit will come upon you.”
By trusting, Mary became the first home for God, literally making room for Love. She shows us that our task is to let God dwell in us. This week, let us choose the courage to trust.
For Reflection
- Where do I find it hard to believe that God favors me?
- What questions am I afraid to bring to God?
- What might God be asking me to say yes to?
- Where do I need the Holy Spirit’s help to trust?
Reflections on the Artwork
Moses who designed the artwork for this year’s Advent Reflection writes:
You see familiar elements in this compared to last week’s image, similar windows and rays of light streaming into the room. However, this is slightly different. Mother Mary remains the main character but she adopts a very different posture. She leans into the Light.
We know from scripture that Mary was troubled when Angel Gabriel visited her. I often imagine what happened after. Did Mary worry? Did she pace around her room anxious? Did she have to text someone or speak to someone about it?
Mother Mary is one who struggled with what the angel revealed to her, but then intently sat with it, looked inwards and responded in faith. She is brave. She then had the composure to move closer to her wounds and unsettledness, and invite God into that space. As in the picture, her posture now is one of comfort and acceptance. Her courageous; ”Let it be done to me according to your word” ; was a surrender. Her trust in God’s plan allowed her soul to be anchored. Mary lived her full human experience fully, with all its ups and down. All she had, she put to great use. Here she discovered how to love in its complete expression – by giving her all as she made room to trust.
I always imagined that after the angel left, she found a deep, peaceful rest, knowing she had placed her life completely in God’s faithful hands. Lord, give me the courage to open my whole being to receive Jesus.