The Power of a ‘Yes’

December 20, 2025 Saturday of the Third Week of Advent
Daily Readings: Isaiah 7:10-14; Luke 1:26-38

Children of God: The biggest Marian shrine in Asia is the Basilica of Our Lady of Good Health in Velankanni, India, often called the “Lourdes of the East.” Every year, millions of pilgrims from different religions visit this sacred place seeking healing and comfort. What is remarkable is that both Christians and non-Christians come together in faith, united by the example of Mary who said yes to God’s will. The shrine stands as a living testimony that when one person says yes to God, blessings overflow far beyond borders and generations.

In the story of the Annunciation, when Mary learned of God’s plan that she is to be with a child through the power of the Holy Spirit, she humbly responds, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord; let it be done to me according to your word” (Luke 1:38). That single word — “yes” — changed the course of history. Through Mary’s obedience, the Word became flesh, and salvation entered the world.

Mary’s yes was not spoken in comfort. It was a yes filled with courage, for she did not know what the future held. Her yes meant accepting uncertainty, misunderstanding, and even suffering. Yet she trusted completely in God’s love. 

Like Mary, each of us is called to say yes to God in our own way. God may not send us an angel, but He calls us through the quiet moments of prayer, the needs of others, and the stirrings in our conscience. Saying yes might mean forgiving someone, serving where it is difficult, or choosing faith when life feels uncertain. Every yes we make, no matter how small, allows God’s grace to work through us.

Children of God: Let us look to Mary, the woman of faith, whose yes brought light into the world. May her example inspire us to trust that God’s will, though mysterious, always leads to love. When we say yes to Him, we allow His plan to unfold not only in our lives but in the lives of others.