The Solemnity of the Annunciation
If you become pregnant unintentionally, should you be given a choice?
The Gospel says, “Yes!”
Today we celebrate the Solemnity of the Annunciation, when Mary, Mother of God, chose to become pregnant with Jesus.
In this moment, before Christ’s conception, God offered Mary the gift of bodily autonomy. She chose to carry and give birth to Christ. Mary’s testimony “Let it be” (γένοιτό) underscores the power of her consent.
When the Angel Gabriel visited Mary, which we celebrate today, she explicitly decided to accept the pregnancy:
The angel said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be holy; he will be called Son of God. And now, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son; and this is the sixth month for her who was said to be barren. For nothing will be impossible with God.” Then Mary said, “Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word.” Then the angel departed from her (Luke 1:35-38).
Her “yes” falls in line with the definition of reproductive justice — having the ability to choose if, when, and how to start a family. Mary chose to become pregnant at that moment in her life.
The majority of Catholics are pro-choice. But the Catholic hierarchy tries to shame us for our values and lived experiences. It’s why we placed our “Mary had a choice.” billboard in downtown Baltimore, blocks from where the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops was convening.
The more we share our stories, the more pro-choice Catholics we will encounter and embolden to join the fight for reproductive and religious freedom.
It’s clear that Mary was not actively seeking out pregnancy before the Angel Gabriel appeared. As an unmarried young woman, becoming pregnant would have put her at risk. Some people imply that Mary lacked a choice, that the only acceptable answer would be to submit to the will of God. The implications of this argument reduce Mary to little more than a vessel. As Catholics, we know that a loving God would never force someone to stay pregnant against their will.
This is why Mary accepted the responsibility of parenthood. Choosing to give birth is just that — a choice.
We all deserve to have this same dignity and autonomy over our own bodies. Mary’s “yes” exemplifies the power of reproductive choice. We work for that same reproductive freedom for everyone.
Truly, Mary is blessed among women, and the fruit of her womb, Jesus, whom she consented to bring into this world, is blessed as well.
