The Annunciation: How Mary’s Fiat Can Inspire Us

Do you ever think of Mary’s fiat and wonder if you could have the courage to say to God “May it be done to me as you say”? Me, too.

What I hope to learn from Mary’s fiat.

Understand Mary’s fiat.

Mary’s fiat occurred at the Annunciation, one of the most significant events in the history of mankind. The Angel Gabriel was sent by God to announce to Mary that she was chosen to be the mother of the Messiah. Her response was, “yes.” Actually, she said, “I am the servant of the Lord. May it be done to me as you say.” (Luke 1:38a)

In Latin, the word fiat means “let it be done.” Mary’s fiat was an immediate acceptance of and consent to God’s will for her life: “May it be done to me.” Her yes was total and complete; she held nothing of herself back from God. She sets the example for all of us, teaching us how we should respond to God’s call in our lives.

I want to learn how to say yes to God.

Mary’s faith inspires and amazes me. She completely abandoned herself to God and to His will. This prompts me to ask myself some questions:

• Do I do say “May it be done to me as you say” to God each day?
• Do I strive to understand God’s will for me each day?
• Do I strive to faithfully and daily to follow God?

My responses are:

• Not every day.
• I try to do this, but I often want God’s will to fit with what I want.
• I think I do this most of the time. (At least, I hope I do!)

My responses to these questions are not as good as I want them to be! I want to be better at following God and seeking His will for me.

I ask myself another question: Why should I hold back from God?

After all, since He created me, He knows me inside and out. He knows my purpose in life. He knows how He wants me to live and He knows what will make me happy. I realize that He knows me better than I know myself. Therefore, I can trust Him. I can put my complete faith and hope in God to lead me in His ways and to provide what is best for me. He will not let me down or lead me in any way that is not for my ultimate benefit. I need, then, to trust in Him and follow Him faithfully. I need to tell Him each day, “May it be done to me as you say.” 

I want to learn to follow God more faithfully in my life.

I can start with today.

• I can start today with a prayer (like the Morning Offering), asking God to bless me and to help me to live today as He wants for me to live it.
• I can take a few minutes at the beginning of the day to ask myself some questions.
  • What can I do today to live my life as God wants me to live it?
  • How can I be more loving today to God?
  • How can I be more loving today to my husband?
  • How can I be more loving today to our kids?
  • How can I be more loving today to others I encounter?
• I can plan moments of self-reflection in my day. This does not need to take a long time. I can take just a minute a few times each day to evaluate myself and how I have been so far during the day:
  • Have I been trying to listen to God?
  • Have I acted in a loving way to others?
  • How can I do better?
• I can plan moments of prayer in my day. Just a simple and heartfelt prayer, like: “Lord, I adore You.” or “Lord, thank You for helping me to live my life today as you want for me to live it.” can help me to recenter my mind and heart on God. No matter what has happened in my day where I allowed myself to stray from loving God and others as I ought, I can begin my day anew at that moment.

I want to learn to say yes to God every day, not just on some days.

As I do these things each day, I will create a new pattern in my life where I will turn to God more often each day. I will be more mindful of His will in my life and my response to Him. This will help me to be a better disciple, a better wife, a better mother, and a better friend to my neighbor.

This will be my challenge-to do this every day.

I want to live my “yes” to God.

I don’t want to only say that I am a follower of Christ. I want to live my life reflecting the truth that I am a follower of Christ. I cannot do that if the life I live does not reflect Christ and His love. Looking to Mary’s fiat, her complete surrender to God and His will for her, inspires to me to keep moving forward, to keep pushing on when I feel discouraged, and to get up again when I fail. I can ask Mary, my example, to pray for me.

I know that God is with me. He wants my yes. He waits for me to say to Him, “May it be done to me as you say.” I am free to say this from my heart or to turn away from Him. I have that choice, but I want to say, “May it be done to me as you say.” When I do, I can ask for God’s help and rely on Him to help me to live my yes. I know it is not always easy, yet I can trust and have faith in God to help me. He is always faithful. He will help me.

Inspired by Mary’s fiat, how do you plan to turn your heart and mind more often to God?