A new year is a clean slate, or so we think.
For many, the beginning of a new year merits celebration because (yay!) there are no mistakes in it yet. It is a chance to be new again. As the clock strikes twelve and the calendar beams with a proud January 1, we feel ecstatic and hopeful that we can be better. That this time, things will be different.
If you’re a planner like me, a clean slate is not exactly ‘clean’. It has defined S.M.A.R.T. goals and deadlines from a previously completed planning phase. The year ahead is already partially filled with expectations, anxieties, and potential worst case scenarios that require preparation and care. The problem with this approach is that it relies too much on the person (a.k.a. me), a fallible – and too often unmotivated – human being. While a detailed game plan does give a clear sense of direction, it also leaves no room for flexibility because any deviation from “the plan” will look like an aberration to be filed under ‘Things That Were Not Supposed To Happen’. This is a popular category, also commonly known as LIFE. Welcome, it’s fun.
In contrast, the story of the Gospel has a rather curious beginning. It starts not with a careful human plan, but with surrender to God. As seen in Luke 1:26-38, the scene of the Annunciation revolves around two key characters: the angel Gabriel and a young girl named Mary.
Announcement of the Birth of Jesus
In the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a town of Galilee called Nazareth,to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph, of the house of David, and the virgin’s name was Mary.
And coming to her, he said, “Hail, favored one! The Lord is with you.” But she was greatly troubled at what was said and pondered what sort of greeting this might be.
Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name him Jesus.He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High,and the Lord God will give him the throne of David his father,and he will rule over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.”
But Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I have no relations with a man?”
And the angel said to her in reply, “The holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore the child to be born will be called holy, the Son of God.And behold, Elizabeth, your relative, has also conceived a son in her old age, and this is the sixth month for her who was called barren; for nothing will be impossible for God.”
Mary said, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.” Then the angel departed from her.
While countless messages can be unpacked from this joyful mystery, I would like to offer one point for our reflection as we jumpstart 2020:
The story of salvation starts with God’s plan and human surrender.
Leave The Planning To God
Our lives will be more than our plans, our wants, and our expectations. Yes, it matters to have direction and goals in life. However, when we only focus on ourselves, we only see a narrow and incomplete picture of who we can become. Our stories and destinies will ultimately depend upon God’s will. More than our desires, we are inclined and led towards God’s higher purpose for our humble lives.
As the angel approached Mary with a greeting, she was troubled. Why? She was called “the favored one” – in other versions – “full of grace”. The angel tells her not to be afraid and goes about to explain God’s plan for her to become the mother of Jesus. In this story, God’s plan for Mary marks the fulfilment of His promise of salvation to His people. Jesus is the plan and the promise of God.
With this in mind, it is good to ask ourselves these questions as we create our 2020 goals and bucket lists: Have I considered Christ in my plans? Is God calling me to a certain direction this 2020? What is God’s will for me?
It Begins With Surrender
Even though God’s will prevails over all, He has made us free and has given us the power to make our own choices. He then invites us and asks us to participate in his grand plans. It is remarkable how much God can do with a simple ‘Yes’. Mary is our best example: Her ‘Yes’ opened the gates of heaven and allowed Christ to enter human history.
Surrender means leaving room for God. It means being open to His will and His way. It means abandoning paths, switching lanes, suspending plans, so God can work His wonders in our lives. It means giving God the free hand, letting Him guide our lives to His purpose. It also means letting God surprise us. It means living life one day at a time, surrendering to the present moment, and finding peace that we are exactly where we are supposed to be.
Surrender is also the active act of placing our trust in God. Mary’s ‘Yes’ to God was not passive nor was it an easy one. She was a young virgin set to be married. If she was to be found with a son, it will surely be a scandal. But the angel reminded her of Elizabeth’s miraculous pregnancy, and how nothing is impossible for God. And so Mary put herself in God’s hands with a ‘Yes’ that springs from a place of deep trust and faith in Him:
Inspired by the heart of Mary, let us ask ourselves: In which areas of my life do I need to surrender to God? How do I better participate in God’s plan for my life? How do I respond to His call this 2020?
Finally, as we begin to reflect on these questions, it is good to remember that the new year is filled with many chances and opportunities to grow. As we focus our gaze on God and His will, I pray that we can navigate our way through 2020 with faith and total confidence in God whose plans and ways are greater than our own.
Magis Catholic 
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