How shall it be?

By Shimelis Margia

29/07/2004

“For if the word spoken by angel was steadfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a jest recompense of reward, how shall escape” (Heb.2:2-3)

When St. Virgin Mary heard the greeting of that angel she disturbed, and didn’t understand the accidental revelation and unfamiliar speech of the angle. But she didn’t try to flee from hearing the word of the angel. Instead of this, in order to understand the message of the good tiding, she asked, “How this shall be, seeing I know not man?

St. Mary knows that to obey the word of Holy angel brings to her the grace of God; however, the message was contrasted with her vow that she vowed to God to live as Virgin. Therefore she asked the angel “seeing I know not a man” that means I vowed to God to continue as virgin, so how can it be?

The question of St. Mary is indeed correct. Because cancelling the vow to God is great sin. What says the bible in Ecclesiastes “better is it that you should not vow, that you should vow and not pay, suffer not your mouth to cause your flesh to sin.(Ecc.5:4-5)

For example prince Jephthah understood the great sinfulness of cancelling the vow. Therefore he hadn’t refrained to offer his sole daughter to burnt offering. He said his sole daughter “… you are one of that trouble me. For I have opened my mouth outo God and I can’t go back”(Judg.11:35) seems like Jephethah, st. Mary also troubled by the word of that angel, so she answered to him I vowed to live as virgin, I can’t go back , so how shall this be?

When the angel understood her feeling, answered to her question that she asked. Then he said, “You conceived without man seed and give birth, the Son of God, by the help of the Holy Spirit without dissolving your virginity. Therefore the people will call you Mother and virgin.”

So, what we learn from St. Mary’s Life? If we ask what ever confused us, God can solve our problems without interference of our will. St. Mary gained her ever Virginity and Motherhood. But let’s ask our problem politely and diligently. God is the only Almighty One.

Be Glory and might and honor, to the Father and the Son and Holy Spirit Amen.

(Was wrote in 1996 EC)