Mary could have said “no.” When the angel asked her to be the Mother of God she could have refused. God is not a tyrant, forcing people into obedience. God created humanity with free will so that we could respond with generous hearts to the divine plan. If Mary had said “no” the plan of God would have been re-written. The same is true for us. God depends on our “yes” to bring about the will of God for the world. God created the world to be a place of justice and peace. But God does not force us. God depends on us each day to make our corner of the world look a little more as God intends, more love, more joy, more peace.
