Gen. 2:7-9; 3:1-7, Psalm 51, Rom. 5:12-19, Matt. 4:1-11

While God is outside of space and time and will never change, we are constantly changing. We are influenced by social media, our peers, even our environment. In all of that, we often forget God’s desire to transform us. 

While preparing to write this reflection, I was drawn to Luke 1:26-38, the Annunciation. This eye-opening passage describes Mary’s “yes” to the angel Gabriel, heralding the life-changing news of her blessed pregnancy. Mary’s fiat, her complete “yes” to the Lord, can feel like an impossible standard. Who among us would be able to endure watching their only son be crucified? It may feel, understandably so, that it doesn’t apply to your life. But by allowing God to transform us, we are entering into a relationship that fulfills our human desires and imbues us with the grace to overcome temptation. Your fiat will undoubtedly be different from Mother Mary’s, but rest assured, the Lord will be with you.  

“The Lord is with thee.” We have said these words countless times, but have we considered the transformative nature to this phrase? Last summer at Steubenville Lone Star, a conference for Catholic teens, I met Jesus, our Eternal Spouse, at the altar and offered Him my fiat. Because He is a loving God, He waited for me to open my eyes to Him and the wonderful relationship that we could have, one I thought wasn’t open to unimportant side-character-Catholics like me. He will never wrestle your fiat from you, but He will, at any moment, accept it. 

Jesus is not only waiting for you, He is pursuing you endlessly and perfectly. This Lent, consider offering up your “yes.” Leave behind worldly influences and allow God, outside of space and time, to transform you with His love. 

Gianna Moore is a high school sophomore who enjoys creative writing and the fine arts. She also believes that every adult man can do a Kermit the frog impression, if they just try.