Mary’s Fiat

My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord; my spirit rejoices in God my savior.

Mary, Mother of God

The word fiat is not just the name of a car. It is a Latin word that means “let it be done.” It’s the word Mary used when the Angel Gabriel appeared to her and told her the news that she would conceive in her womb and bear a son, and his name would be Jesus. He would be the Son of God. She responded heroically to this seemingly impossible task, “let it be done to me according to your word.”

Mary’s fiat sets the stage for all of us. It gives us the most perfect example of saying yes to God in everything; to being obedient to His will for our lives. It is heroic because Mary’s fiat was not only one of joy – there was fear and uncertainty – but also sorrow. Her yes led her to the foot of the cross where her beloved son and savior died right before her eyes.

But her fiat also led her to the miraculous resurrection, and then to her own assumption into heaven. She has gone before us in perfect unity with the Holy Spirit setting an example for each of us to follow. All it takes is a resounding “Yes, Lord.”

I’ve always known that we should say yes to God, but I’ve spent a lot of time looking for something to say yes to. I was waiting for a big life changing event, a sign from the heavens, an obvious path that I should take. But the real life changing fiat is found in the small details of our everyday lives.

For me, it looks like this:

The baby is crying for the 5th time that night – yes, Lord I will go.

My toddler is being clingy and whiny – yes, Lord I will be patient.

My husband is leaving town for four days and it’s just me and the kids – yes, Lord I will hold down the fort.

My friend is going through something hard and there are no easy answers – yes, Lord I will listen and mourn with them.

The dishes need done, the laundry is piling up, dinner needs cooked, deadlines need met, people need loved – yes, Lord, I will go.

These are the small details that make up our lives that we are asked to say yes to. It will look different for everyone, but if we are not faithful in saying yes to the small things then we won’t be ready when big things are asked of us. And what joy these small yeses bring!

Today, say yes. Give your consent. Especially when there is something you really don’t want to do. Turn your face to the heavens, give a smile, and say yes, Lord. Overtime, you will be delighted to do these tasks because you will know they have been sent to you from God and he is overjoyed by your joyful obedience.

The secret of happiness is to live moment by moment and to thank God for all that he, in his goodness, sends to us day after day.

St. Gianna Beretta Molla