Overshadowed

“…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” (Luke 1:26-38).  Today’s Gospel is about the angel Gabriel’s visit with Mary – the betrothed of Joseph.  We all know the story of the virgin and her fate.

The word “overshadowed” is a bit confusing but Mark Link, S.J. gives clarity.  He said: The word which we translate into English as “rest on” or “overshadow” is rare in the Bible.  One place you find it is in the Book of Exodus.  There it describes a strange cloud that overshadowed the tent when Israel placed in it the ark of the covenant, containing the tablets of the commandments.  As soon as the cloud overshadowed the tent, “the Lord’s presence filled it” (Exodus 40:34).  Luke’s choice of the rare word “overshadowed” is not accidental; it is deeply symbolic.

Mary’s body (new tent) houses her womb (new ark).  When the Holy Spirit overshadows Mary, she is filled with the Lord’s new presence, Jesus.  God now lives among his people, not just in the symbol of the tablets in the ark, but in the person of Jesus in Mary’s womb.

Will the Holy Spirit overshadow us this Advent?  Will we be filled with the Lord’s presence, Jesus?  Mary said, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord.  May it be done to me according to your word…”  Will we let it be done to us?

Deacon David Pierce