Announcing good news

I’ve got good news and bad news for you,” announced a surgeon to his patient after an open-heart surgery. “What’s the good news?” asked the patient, eagerly. The surgeon said, “Your life is saved.” The patient asked, “And, the bad news?” The surgeon replied, “Your life’s savings will be spent paying for the good news!” On March 25, Christians celebrate the “Annunciation” of the “good news” of Jesus’ birth.

Luke’s gospel — or, “good news” — narrates the scene of Mary being told by Angel Gabriel that she will be the mother of God’s son, Jesus. The Bible has other stories of miraculous births of special children commissioned for extraordinary missions. Abraham and Sarah are told about the birth of a son, Isaac, when Sarah, considered barren, is very old. Likewise, Gabriel tells Zechariah that his aged wife, Elizabeth, will bear a son, John. Samson and Samuel, too, are “special deliveries” whose births subvert the laws of nature.

The pattern of biblical Annunciation stories is similar: (a) Unnatural setting of either an aged, barren woman (Sarah, Elizabeth) or a virgin (Mary) being informed about conceiving a child; (b) Situation of fear and incredulity; (c) Reassurance from God’s messenger; (d) Acceptance by trusting in God’s providence; (e) God’s work being accomplished with human cooperation.

Angel Gabriel’s announcement to Mary causes fear and confusion.

The angel says, “Fear not!” When Mary questions: “How is this possible, since I’m a virgin?” the angel explains, “Nothing is impossible with God. God’s spirit will overshadow you and the one to be born will be called Son of God.”

In trustful surrender Mary says: “I am God’s servant; let it be with me according to God’s word.” With Mary’s cooperation God works out human salvation through his son, Jesus.

The Annunciation also appears in Sura 19 of the Quran with striking similarities: Maryam (Mary) questions Jibril (Gabriel) how she will be able to conceive since she has not had conjugal relations with any man; and, the angel answers that for Allah all things are possible. Similarly, Maryam’s virginal conception and Isa’s (Jesus’) birth will be a sign of God’s special intervention for humankind.

Feasts like the Annunciation can be interpreted beyond religious boundaries as follows: (a) God is alive and active in our world, today; (b) We receive daily news which we subjectively label as either “good” or “bad”; (c) Whether we think that some news is “good” and brings happiness, or is “bad” and creates pain, all historical happenings are invitations to respond, trusting that God is with us; therefore, (d) Let’s use our capacity to work together with God to build a better world.

Say, can’t we all strive to make our entire life a “gospel”: good news?