Jasper's Reflection at Nazareth

I was asked to write a reflection on the story of Gabriel coming to to Mary while we were at the church of the Annuncation. Here it is:

At the time when Gabriel came to her Mary would have been about 14 or younger. Try and imagine being a girl that age. Your periods recently started so you've got lots of hormones and emotions running around. You are betrothed to a man whose probably much older then you are. On the other hand your about to get your own house. Your becoming a full participant in your faith. And then out of the blue Gods angle shows up, tells you God loves you more then any other woman and would you please get pregnant and have this baby out of wedlock. At that time, a woman who had a child out of wedlock could be publicly stoned to death. It would reflect not only on your family, but your entire village. It would be easy to say 'no'... to protest that you are not the right one. Moses did. But instead, Mary says 'yes'. In extreme act of faith and trust, Mary says 'yes'. How many of us would have done the same? It is so easy in our world to say 'no'. We see it all the time in politics, in rules, in choices. How often do we choose not to listen to those around us... not to learn new things... not to see other points of view?

So I challenge you to say 'yes' to those around you. To think before you are negative about someone or something. To look at things more positively and see other points of view.