ARE YOU A SERVANT OF THE LORD?
“Therefore the Lord himself will give you this sign: the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall name him Emmanuel.” -Isaiah 7:14
As you enter our home and walk towards our kitchen, you will see a painting featured in today’s reflection. Even after a decade, this painting that I bid and won at an auction would cause visitors to take notice and reflect on “The Annunciation.”
Notice the hand of angel Gabriel inviting Mary. Notice the flowers from angel Gabriel. Notice Mary’s face and body language. Notice how you would react if you were in Mary’s place.
I resonated with Mary when I was a student at Cal Poly where my life was turned upside down. I was arrested, lost my full ride scholarship, and was banned from the university system. I tried to end my life because I couldn’t accept myself as a gay Vietnamese-American Catholic.
Returning to my hometown, someone gave me “The Purpose-Driven Life” by Pastor Rick Warren. I will never forget the chapter that challenged me to do something different: surrender. As I prayed that evening, I will never forget myself literally shaking on the bed surrendering to God. I was so scared of my future. I was so scared to give God the steering wheel. I was so scared of accepting who I am.
Imagine how Mary felt with the visit from Gabriel. Imagine Mary’s shock that she will conceive a son, Jesus Christ, who would become our Lord and Savior. Imagine Mary’s moment of surrendering when she committed to become the Lord’s servant saying: “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word” (Luke 1:38).
Although I will never forget the moment I surrendered to God that fateful night, I am challenged to surrender everyday. When was the last time you surrendered to God? When will you let God drive the wheel? When will you accept the person God made you to be?
Lord, as I continue to thank you for the life you’ve given me, behold, I am your servant. May it be done to me according to your word. Amen.
John Huân Vũ