a divorce
a stoning
a broken betrothal
shame
rejection
family life fractured
scandal
division
broken hearts and troubled minds
all these and more
the possible implications
in the wake of Mary’s ‘yes’
is this what
favour with God
looks like
could we too
say the Mighty One has done great things
would we
be able to magnify the Lord
how will we respond
when our calling comes,
in the face
of myriad implications
Mary
unreservedly
willingly
quietly consented
to birth the One
who would later say
take up your cross
and follow me
can we respond with such incredible grace
©Pat Marsh
Image artist unknown