Imitating Mary’s Yes Even When It’s Hard

+JMJ+ Today on the Feast of the Annunciation we pause to reflect on one of the most powerful moments in human history: the “yes” of the Blessed Mother.

She quietly and humbly surrendered to God. She gave a simple yes. That yes changed everything.

How often do we say yes to God only when His will aligns with our own?

It’s easy to trust Him when life feels good. We say, “Ok, Lord!” when prayers are answered the way we hoped, when doors open, and when blessings are obvious and abundant. In those moments, “yes, Lord” comes naturally and with much joy and gratitude. But introduce suffering, discomfort, inconvenience, even mild annoyance. Suddenly that trust begins to crumble.

We throw tantrums. We resist, complain, and negotiate. Sometimes, we outright say no. We refuse to go where God is leading us. We refuse to adhere to the rules simply because we don’t like them. That’s the imperfect human side of us. God calls us to grow beyond it.

The Holy Family: The Ultimate Yes

Now imagine Mary in that moment of the Annunciation. She was asked to step into the unknown, to embrace a plan that would bring great joy but also profound suffering. She did not have all the answers, and she did not see the full picture. Yet, she still said yes.

Her fiat (her “let it be done”) echoes through history. It didn’t just affect her life. It changed the course of the world, of mankind, and of eternity.

Her husband, St. Joseph, also said yes. His yes was quiet, steady, and obedient. He said yes to caring for Mary and Jesus even when it meant uncertainty, sacrifice, and danger. Like Mary, his trust in God changed the course of history, showing us that sometimes the greatest acts of faith are those lived in humble, faithful obedience.

Of course, Jesus, also said yes. He said yes to suffering, rejection, and to the Cross. He said yes, not because it was easy, but because it was His Father’s will.

Together, the Holy Family show us the perfect example of saying yes to God. Their lives show us that trust, obedience, and love are not just brief moments of inspiration. They are a daily, lived reality that shapes eternity.

Trusting God When It’s Easy and When It’s Not

So what about us?

What if we said yes, not just when it feels good, but when it’s hard? What if we trusted God not only in His blessings but also in His boundaries?

There’s almost always room for improvement in all of us! We need to stop resisting so many things (abortion, contraception, female priests and deacons, same-sex relationships, transgenderism, just to name a few). Like the Holy Family and the saints, sometimes we need to simply say yes to God instead of questioning things. We need to stop picking and choosing what we believe and what we practice and instead embrace His truth with obedience and trust. We need to embrace the cost of discipleship with courage and conviction.

Sometimes God says no, not to hurt us, but to protect us and to help us grow in virtue and holiness. What if we said yes to God, not only in what He gives, but also in what He forbids?

What if, instead of resisting His “no,” we received it with trust?

“No, this is not the path I have for you.”

“Yes, Lord. I trust you.”

“No, you cannot pursue this relationship.”

“Yes, Lord. You know what is good for me.”

“No, you may not take an innocent life.”

“Yes, Lord. I will choose life.”

“No, you cannot take what is not yours.”

“Yes, Lord. Teach me integrity.”

“No, you are not free to redefine love and sexuality outside of my design.”

“Yes, Lord. Teach me to love as you love.”

“No, you are not free to define truth according to your feelings.”

“Yes, Lord. Help me to live in your truth.”

“No, you cannot use another person for your own pleasure.”

“Yes, Lord. Show me how to love with purity and dignity.”

“No, you are not created in the wrong body.”

“Yes, Lord. Help me to receive myself as you created me.”

“No, you are not called to serve this role.”

“Yes, Lord. I accept your design and your wisdom.”

No matter how difficult or countercultural, and no matter how deeply it challenges our desires, what if our response was still the same?

“Yes, Lord. I trust you.”

In those moments when God says no, we are faced with a decision: Will we resist? Or will we, like Mary, respond with trust?

Imagine a world where we truly lived that way.

Imagine if our yes was not conditional, if our trust did not depend on comfort, and if our faith remained steady even in suffering.

We often say we trust God, but is that only when we agree with Him?

It’s a hard question to ask ourselves, not to mention humbling. Yet, it’s a necessary question to meditate on. Real trust in God means surrendering not just our desires, but also our understanding.

Now, to be clear, this doesn’t mean we passively accept every hardship without action. We are still called to seek healing, to leave dangerous situations, and to care for ourselves and others wisely. Saying yes to God also means that, even in the midst of taking necessary action, and even in the midst of suffering, we remain anchored in trust.

Mary’s yes was not just for that one moment. It is a witness for us today. Mary’s yes is a reminder that holiness is not found in our own comfort but in surrender. The Annunciation can serve as a call to examine our own hearts.

Reflection: Where is God Asking for My Yes?

Today, let’s ask ourselves:

Where is God asking for me to say yes?

Am I willing to give it no matter what?

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A Prayer for Courage and Trust

Lord,

You see my desires, my fears, and the places where I struggle to trust you. Give me the grace to say yes to your will even when it is difficult, unclear, or painful.

Help me to trust that your ways are always for my good even when I do not understand them. Form my heart to love what is true, to choose what is right, and to surrender anything not from you.

Like Mary, teach me to say, “Let it be done to me according to Your word.” Give me the courage to embrace your will with love and trust.

Amen.