By: Erin M Diericx 

A sermon given on Luke 1:26-38.

May my mediation of my heart and my words of my mouth be pleasing to the Lord. 

This past years our fears have been brought to the forefront. They have paralyzed us with anxiety and depression. They have created a new reality for us.

In the opening chapter of the Gospel of Luke, we meet a young woman, Mary, whose whole world is forever changed by a visit from the angel Gabriel. It is a meeting where Mary’s fear could have paralyzed her; it is a meeting where Mary makes a life changing decision; it is a meeting that puts God’s big plan into motion.

The angel Gabriel greets Mary as the favored one, and says the Lord is with her (Luke 1:28). Mary ponders the greeting for a bit, pondering how she could be favor by the Lord; she is a young girl, engaged but not yet married with a household of her. Surely the angel has the wrong girl.

We all have been there; God, you have the wrong person; surely, there is someone more qualified. There have been times when I thought God had the wrong girl. Seriously God, people can barely understand me, and you want me to preach? My fine motor skills are that of a five year old, and yet you want me to preside? Surely, you have the wrong girl. We all have our reasonable excuses; surely, someone is more qualified. 

However, the angel Gabriel says, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have been found favor with God” (Luke 1:31 NRSV). The phrase “do not be afraid” is in the Bible 365 times, one for everyday of the year. It is more than a command to not be afraid, but it is a reassurance that God is with you and he will guide you through whatever the situation is. An angel told Hagar to not be afraid when Abram and Sarah sent her and Ishmael into the wilderness alone. Samuel told the Israelites to not be afraid when they sinned but to continue to serve the Lord (1 Samuel 12:20). An angel told Elijah to not be afraid when going to see the king (2 Kings 1:15). The bible is filled with individuals afraid to answer God’s call to do his work in the world. Yet after saying to not be afraid, God provides reassurance that something better would come from their predicament. Hagar’s son, Ishmael, would have descendants of his own.

Therefore, when the angel Gabriel tells Mary to not be afraid, it is followed by a good reason why a virgin girl is pregnant. God needs a virgin girl to born his son, because she needed to be pure; God’s son needs a holy birth that only God can make possible with the Holy Spirit. The angel Gabriel reassures Mary that God, the Lord, the Most High will be with her, watch over her, to guide her, and to never leave her side.

The Lord give us the same reassurance, even during the pandemic, even when we are walking through the wilderness, even when we are stumbling through the wilderness. God promises to be with us, to watch over us, to guide us, and to never leave us alone. 

From the beginning of the pandemic, I have felt like God has told me to stay home in my little bubble, because he has a special assignment for me when the pandemic is over. Now I do not know what this assignment will be, but I am not afraid, because God has assured me that he will continue to be with me and guiding me to do his work in the world. And I promise, like Mary and me, God is with you guiding you to do amazing things in his holy name—do not be afraid but trust in the Lord.

O Lord, we are struggling as individuals, as communities, as  nations, as your children. We come to you with heavy burdens that only you can contend with.

We lift up the sick and dying. May they feel your comfort and peace, and grant those who have died entrance into your heavenly kingdom.

We lift up those who are struggling to provide the essentials of food, shelter, and clothes for their loved ones and themselves. Grant the individuals and families the courage to ask for help, and  for others to answer the call.

We come together, although physically apart, as one voice, one body, because we are never truly alone, especially when we turn to you. Continue to reassure us by guiding us to do your work in our communities, in the world, through Jesus Christ, your Son and our Lord, with the Holy Spirit now and always. Amen.