20 December
Is 7:10-14
Lk 1:26-38
Mary said to the angel, “But how can this come about, since I am a virgin?”
Not possible Gabe, not possible…no way, Jose!
Both you and me would conclude that this was some sort of weird dream, or perhaps the outcome of some sort of psychological disorder. Dreaming perhaps? Or perhaps the outcome of trying to ingest some bad food.
But our Blessed Mother is no ordinary person and neither did she possess an ordinary mind. She was perfectly clear. Yet, if she was “full of grace” and if she knew God’s voice through the Archangel, then where did this “How can this come about..?” come from? How is it that when Zechariah asked “How shall I know this? For I am an old man and my wife is advanced in years”; he was struck dumb till he named his son John; and yet, Our Lady got away?
As I was writing this reflection, I kept asking this question again and again; of course, I feared getting struck dumb and that would be disastrous as I am a salesman by profession. It took a while for my slow mind to figure this bit out. The news to Zachariah was a miracle but not something unheard of. He had questioned if what the angel said was true.
For Our Lady, on the other hand, it was not a question of ‘if’ it would happen, but rather ‘how’ (she used the Greek phrase “pos estai touto”, which translated means “how will this happen?”)
Very often, in my reasonably long existence; I have had to question more of the ‘if’s than the ‘how’s. The ‘if’s are circumstances that remotely could take place, but we don’t believe they can. The ‘how’s are circumstances that our simple minds cannot fathom would take place.
As I reflect, I have had various ‘if’ and ‘how’ moments in my life. These have turned out to be moments when I have experienced God deeply in my life.
A few years ago, I had to leave an employer of 10 and half years. I was not fired, but there was a serious situation with a client and during one of the sessions with the lawyers, I had asked when they thought this would be all over. I was asked why I was asking. Angry, tired, and just wanting the situation to be concluded, I responded that when my contribution towards resolving this was over, I wanted to leave.
I forgot about my comment; but some 6 months later, I was ushered into a meeting room and reminded of my comment. It obviously was not taken well by senior management. I was told that I was not being fired, but that the bank’s interests and mine were no longer aligned. They suggested I begin looking for a job.
The timing was horrible! My wife was, at that point, hospitalised for a condition with her large intestine and when I visited her that evening, stress was written all over my face. How do I explain this to my clients? Would I lose my license in this process? I began the job hunt as soon as I could. But I come from a rather small industry and people talk (now isn’t gossip juicy?). Many people did not know the whole story and I was also bound by the confidentiality agreement that I signed with the bank, limiting me from explaining my role in the whole situation.
After numerous interviews, I secured a position. I was as transparent as I could be and the boss decided to take a chance on me – this was one ‘if’ moment!.She even gave me a 20% increment – another ‘if’ moment, as other banks suggested I move laterally.
The new bank wanted a reference from my previous employer. Gosh, how was this going to be good? Surprisingly, the reference came from the CEO personally. He explained to my new employer my situation, and how I had not been at fault. The refence was so strong that the person in charge shared that he was surprised they were letting me leave – a real ‘if’ moment indeed!
The new bank kept giving me opportunities to work on opportunities which were complex, which I found very mentally challenging, something my previous employer was slow to sanction – yet another ‘if’ moment.
Then, I went to my boss asking for extended leave to complete a clerkship – a mandatory requirement for a 4-year course I had embarked on. I needed at least a month of continuous leave and multiple days off over the next 2 months. She gave me her blessings and even enquired if I had sufficient leave — gosh, another ‘if’ moment. Towards the end of my course, my boss inquired if I would be keen to take up a new role. This role would mean focussing on the bespoke, complex transactions that I enjoyed working on.
Now came my ‘how’ moment!
How was this even possible 4 years ago? Why would someone take a chance on me in this manner, when there were unsubstantiated rumours floating around about me? Then for my new employer to allow me to grow in my role and endorse my efforts in working at resolving complex structures; eventually moving me to a role where I truly enjoy my work.
Brothers and sisters, these ‘how’ moments help us to really feel God’s presence in our lives. Maybe to some reading this, its just another story about a new job. But to me, it isn’t; and in my faith journey, this ‘how’ moment helps me grow, share my experience of God’s love and be a grateful son to Him.
(Today’s OXYGEN by Gerard Francis)
Prayer: We pray for many more ‘if’ moments, to keep anchoring us to our faith.
Thanksgiving: We give thanks to Our Heavenly Father for both the ‘if’ and the ‘how’ moments in our journeys.
OXYGEN 
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