Richard Rohr, OFM

And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her by the Lord.

—Luke 1:45

She was much perplexed by [Gabriel’s] words and pondered what sort of greeting this might be.
—Luke 1:29

But they had no children, because Elizabeth was barren, and both were getting on in years. —Luke 1:7

Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife, for the child conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.
—Matthew 1:20

We have a lot to learn from people like Quakers and Mennonites. They are well practiced in being a minority.

Truly I tell you, the tax collectors and the prostitutes are going into the kingdom of God ahead of you. For John came to you in the way of righteousness and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes believed him; and even after you saw it, you did not change your minds and believe him.
—Matthew 21:31b–32

Here is Jesus talking in riddles again. If I spoke or wrote in such a way, you would probably accuse me of moral relativism or fuzzy thinking! How do we learn to live with such confusions?

So they answered Jesus, “We do not know.” And he said to them, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things.”
—Matthew 21:27

Can we care intensely and passionately and not care at all in the same moment? If we are seeking God’s will and not our own, it comes somewhat easily. We do the best we can, but we are detached from any need for personal success or response.