Today we are blessed to celebrate the Feast of the Annunciation (a day late because it actually fell on a Sunday in Lent).  We read the story of the angel’s announcement to Mary and her Fiat, recounted only by Luke (1:26-38).  Mary wonders how she will be the mother of “the Son of the Most High” (v. 32) since she has consecrated herself to perpetual virginity (why else would she ask how she could get pregnant?).  After hearing her aged relative is with child, she replies with the line at top in all humility and trust.  Humility and trust is key for us as well.  Can we utter the words above in that manner?  Are we willing to take whatever the Lord ordains or allows for us in such a way that, while we may not understand it at the time and which we may not come to realize until eternity, we fully submit to it, praising Him all the way?  That to which Mary consented gave her unspeakable joy but also sadness and an ultimate sorrow we cannot comprehend (“and you yourself a sword shall pierce” [Lk 2:25]).  We can expect that same combination in life but, accepting the Lord’s will with faith, hope, and love, and remembering that the Beatitudes bless the mourning, persecuted, and insulted, if we persevere our “reward will be great in heaven” (Mt 5:12).