This year, many Americans and indeed other peoples of the world watched with interest the marriage of William, heir to the British throne, and Kate Middleton, a commoner who will become queen, in much pageantry and ceremony. It reminds us that some people are born into "greatness" and some have it forced upon them.

In today’s readings, particularly the Gospel, we hear of Mary having a type of greatness offered to her by God. He, the Father of all Creation, chooses Mary to be the Mother of Jesus, heir to the most powerful Kingdom that will ever be. The Angel Gabriel visits this young, poor girl and greets her with a majestic title, "Hail Mary, full of grace!" With a profound and powerful "yes" Mary becomes the handmaid of the Lord, and disciple and mother to the greatest of them all.

This should remind us of another humble, individual who was chosen by God for greatness: King David. Another unlikely candidate chosen to do the Will of God. As a simple shepherd boy, David will go on to be the powerful warrior king living in a palace. A simple girl, a simply boy destined for greatness.

In this final week of Advent, as we await the coming of the Lord—both to memorialize His birth as a powerless infant born to refuge parents in a backwater town, and His Second Com-ing when the glory of God will shine forth and all will be made manifest—made righteous—in His name, we need to ask our-selves if there is something we can do for God and His Kingdom? While we may feel "insignificant," or one who was not born for any form of greatness, we must remember that "nothing will be impossible for God." (Luke 1:28) God’s grace, given to each of us who ask for it and freely accept it, is the source and summit of His power and will bring us the ability to perform His will in our lives. He simply awaits our answer, our "Yes."

The invitation given to each of us by God, may differ according to needs around us. But God will ask us to serve Him in serving others. He will call us to compassion, to truth, to hope, and to love. He may ask us to serve Him in caring for the elderly in a nursing home or hospice unit. He may ask us to feed His hun-gry ones through Pantry Partners of St. Catherine or a local shel-ter, or to clothe His naked children. He may ask us to be a mentor to a young child or teenager who seems lost and wandering and in need of direction and love. He may invite us to care for a single mother stressed beyond belief or a widower who is suffering in silence, maybe even for an unemployed friend who simply needs two ears to listen to him or her and to remind them of how impor-tant they are. He may invite us to youth ministry and illustrate to our young adults the importance of working in and through the Church. He may ask us to defend His name in the public arena or even around our own the kitchen table. Whatever the need, He will ask us and He will await our freely offered "yes." He will also empower us with His grace so that no task or ministry is im-possible for us—with Him at our side.

In this fading Advent season may our "yes" to him be simple yet profound. I am your handmaid, your servant. "I’ve come to do Your Will."