It's so much easier to understand the wonder and fear of the Annunciation for Mary now that I've had a baby. I think women understand it more thoroughly than men, too (if I may be so bold!).
Her response was not of hysterical crying and anger at being thus "violated", but it was excitement and humility.
This story just also reminds us that our bodies are NOT our personal property, but are God's to do what he pleases with them. We are temples, and God, if we are willing, gives us precious gifts to bear to the world. Pregnancy itself reminds women and the world that their body is not their own. She shares it with her husband occasionally, of course, but she shares it for 10 months constantly with another. Everything she eats, drinks and does affects someone else in the most direct way for 10 months. It is a sacrifice, and a gift, and an amazing miracle.
May Mary's words be mine:
My soul doth magnify the Lord, and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Savior,
For He hath regarded the lowliness of his handmaid;
For behold from henceforth, all generations shall call me blessed (this is still true!),
For He that is mighty hath magnified me, and Holy is his name.
And his mercy is on them that fear him, throughout all generations.
He hath showed strength with his arm,
He hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.
He hath put down the mighty from their seat, and hath exalted the humble and meek.
He hath filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he hath sent empty away.
He, remembering his mercies, hath holpen his servant Israel,
As he promised to our forefathers, Abraham and his seed forever.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost, as it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end, Amen.
~~ Erin
