Let us say, "Yes, Lord."

Many tears were shed in our pilgrim group today.

Most of our day today was spent in Nazareth, particularly in the Basilica of the Annunciation, where the angel Gabriel appeared to Mary (see Luke 1). The basilica is built over the very cave which was Mary’s house, the place where Christians have maintained for two millennia that the Word became flesh in the womb of this courageous and faithful young woman.

We were able to kneel in this (click for pictures) place, where a tiny Tabernacle reminded us that Jesus dwelt as a little unborn baby in his mother’s womb. Some of us were praying for mothers trying to conceive, others for tiny children who needed love. The parents and grandparents among us prayed fervently for children and grandchildren.

Before we even entered the basilica, I already had tears welling in my eyes. How precious a place this was – to be in the town where Jesus grew up – and where He became like me, a human being. As we walked into the basilica, the Holy Spirit had moved me to open my Bible to Luke 1. We approached the center, where steps lead down to the grotto house of Mary. It is a simple, small cave, but I was moved beyond words. Tears ran down my face as I smiled in awe of the simplicity. At three o-clock in the afternoon, we had the privilege of celebrating Mass at the altar area built in front of the grotto, and Father put into words what had truly moved me.

At this simple cave, God sent a messenger angel, Gabriel – whose name means God’s strength – to Mary. God’s strength, Fr. Valentin said, is especially with the meek and humble. At this place, God came to a meek person of simple livelihood, a woman, a young woman, a woman who had not even been married – and dwelt within her as a helpless human baby. How many times have I thought that I was just a nobody? How many times have I thought that my thoughts and actions won’t make much of a difference? Yet in this tiny village where perhaps 10 to 15 families lived, Almighty God came in His Fullness.

We were blessed with a few minutes of silence, without any other pilgrim groups in the basilica. As we all stood before the grotto with our eyes fixed on that simple cave, I asked God to forgive me for ever doubting Him. How great is our God.
Dear Mary, Mother of Jesus, pray that I may also have enough trust in God to say, as you did, “Let it be done to me according to your word.”

(Click here to see our pilgrims share their reactions to the Basilica of the Annunciation: target="_blank">1 . 2 . 3.)
(Click here to see photos from today)