Visions of Mary (7): Really?

When caught by complete surprise, I often wonder, “God, are you in this?!” I rarely predict how God is going to manifest in my life.

My prayer
God, lessen my resistance to you–especially when I might least expect to need to!

Scriptural Touchstone:
…the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. And he came to her and said, “Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you.” But she was much perplexed by his words…  Luke 1:26-29 (NRSV)

The three lower scenes of the 12th century Life of Christ window at Chartres. From left to right: The Annunciation, Visitation, and Birth of Jesus

Invitation to Pray:
Is God asking something of you that you didn’t expect or don’t understand? How do you want to respond? Pray with your body, mind, heart, or imagination.

The back of a priest’s robe in Chartres.

Photos:
These images of the Annunciation from the middle window of the west wall were all taken at the Chartres Cathedral in France (ca 1145).The embroidered image above is a twentieth-century interpretation of the image. The photo of Mary (detail of the larger image) is found in the Preface of Visions of Mary: Art, Devotion, and Beauty at Chartres Cathedral (page xix).

To look inside (Introduction and Chapter One of Visions of Mary)
Available at
Amazon, Paraclete Press, and Barnes and Noble
Interested in buying the book in volume? Contact Sister Estelle at Paraclete Press for pricing options.

Posts that center on the images shown in Visions of Mary:

1. Visions of Mary: The Blue Virgin Window at Chartres
2. Visions of Mary: Looking Towards God
3. Visions of Mary: Notre Dame de Chartres
4. Visions of Mary: An Angel’s Perspective
5. Visions of Mary: Mary’s Example
6. Visions of Mary: Questioning