Mary, Did You Know?
Luke 1: 26 - 38 (NRSV)
26 In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, 27 to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin's name was Mary. 28 And he came to her and said, "Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you." 29 But she was much perplexed by his words and pondered what sort of greeting this might be. 30 The angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. 31 And now, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you will name him Jesus. 32 He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give to him the throne of his ancestor David. 33 He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end." 34 Mary said to the angel, "How can this be, since I am a virgin?" 35 The angel said to her, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore, the child to be born will be holy; he will be called the Son of God. 36 And now, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son; and this is the sixth month for her who was said to be barren. 37 For nothing will be impossible with God." 38 Then Mary said, "Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word." Then the angel departed from her.
Mary, did you know that wasn't the full story?
It sounds great - your child will grow up to be a king, the Son of the Most High God.
Gabriel certainly highlighted the good parts for you.
But did you know that your baby boy would grow up to be hated and feared?
This tiny child you raised would soon be killed before your very eyes.
Mary, I cannot imagine the love you felt for Jesus.
He was not only your Lord...he was your son. That love must have been overwhelming.
They say the greatest pain anyone can feel is the death of their child.
Did you know?
Your child died because of our sins. Were you angry with us? Do you still blame us?
Mary, did you know that over the next 2,000+ years, people would mercilessly kill their neighbors in your son's name?
Mary, did you know that we would twist your son's words of love into words of hatred?
Mary, did you know that queer children would grow up to believe your son despised them? Did you know they would kill themselves because of that?
Mary, did you know that our streets would be lined with black and brown bodies just like his?
Mary, was it worth it? Would you do it all again? Would you trust the world with your beloved child, or would you tell God we didn't deserve him?