Answer
quickly, O Virgin. Reply in haste to the angel, or rather through the
angel to the Lord. Answer with a word, receive the Word of God. Speak
your own word, conceive the divine Word. Breathe a passing word,
embrace the eternal Word.
Why
do you delay, why are you afraid? Believe, give praise, and receive.
Let humility be bold, let modesty be confident. This is no time for
virginal simplicity to forget prudence. In this matter alone, O
prudent Virgin, do not fear to be presumptuous. Though modest silence
is pleasing, dutiful speech is now more necessary. Open your heart to
faith, O blessed Virgin, your lips to praise, your womb to the
Creator. See, the desired of all nations is at your door, knocking to
enter. If he should pass by because of your delay, in sorrow you
would begin to seek him afresh, the One whom your soul loves. Arise,
hasten, open. Arise in faith, hasten in devotion, open in praise and
thanksgiving. Behold the handmaid of the Lord, she says, be it done
to me according to your word.
--
Saint Bernard of Clairvaux from
a homily
