After Adam and Eve disobeyed God, they became aware of their own nakedness and felt shame. They hid from God, as He called out, 'Where are you?' This drama has been taking place for millennia - God calling, but people hiding.

After the experience of Eden, there were punishments: humans were on their own and had to suffer and struggle. But God was always there to help. As Ephesians tell us, He had already chosen us in Christ before the foundation of the world. God was planning our salvation all along, but it would be a longer and harder path to walk. We should not hide from God; God is there to forgive us and give us strength.

Mary certainly did not hide from God, for she was a true woman of faith. It was because of her openness and generosity and the purity of her heart that the Messiah was born. She praised God for all that He had done for her and for humanity. Things were now going to be different, for both God and Mary looked forward to radical changes in our world and how we treat one another. The proud were being pulled from their thrones, and the poor were filled with good things. When we open our hearts to God, we, too, can become a channel of this blessing.