Day 3: Without Hesitation
Editor’s Note: On the third day of our 2025 Advent blog series, “Visions of Visitation: Love in Motion,” DC Service Corps volunteer Claire Bosch reflects on Mary’s moments in between the Annunciation and the Visitation.
“Mary’s haste is thus a sign of her desire to serve, to proclaim her joy, to respond without hesitation to the grace of the Holy Spirit.” – Pope Francis
I’ve always wondered about the moments after the Annunciation. That minute after the angel had departed from Mary and she was left alone, with only the company of the enormity of the news she had received. I’ve always wondered if, in this moment, Mary doubted what had happened to her. Without an angel to behold in front of you, it must be difficult to believe you’ve been chosen to be the mother of God.
My curiosity about this moment is very much personal. I have always been plagued with the idea that critical situations that have happened to me, important things that have been said, somehow didn’t actually occur. No matter what, I can’t help but wonder “What if I made it all up?”. Even when I received the call offering for me to become part of FMS with DC Service Corps, my first thought after hanging up the phone was “What if I horribly misunderstood and I haven’t been accepted?”
I will never know the first thing Mary thought after she was left alone. Scripture does not sate my curiosity and provide a window into these precious moments. It is Mary’s actions, not her thoughts, that are given to us to display her spirit. Immediately after the Annunciation, Mary goes—in haste and without hesitation—to her cousin Elizabeth.
Mary’s lack of hesitation shows that she likely did not share the doubt that follows me. Through the grace of God that was with her, she had the faith to believe her recollection of the angel’s words and went out to share them with her cousin. Her spirit of joy and service pushed her forward to minister to Elizabeth, rather than backward to dwell on the past.
I know that I cannot escape the doubt that follows me. However, following the example of the mother of our Lord and through the work of the Holy Spirit, I hope to be able to respond to the calling of God with Marian confidence and without hesitation.
Questions for Reflection: Does doubt ever hold you back from sharing joy and love? How is God inviting you to let go of doubt this Advent?
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