"She was deeply disturbed...". Mary though immaculately conceived, was also human; she must have felt perplexed and fearful. But instead of letting fear paralyse her, she accepted Gabriel's message at face value, convinced that this must have come from the Lord. She yielded in complete trust and submission to His will.

"I am the handmaid of the Lord...". Fortitude is a gift of the Holy Spirit. It allows one to overcome fear and remain steadfast in standing up for what is right and just. This gives her strength to offer herself selflessly to God for a greater good.

"Let what you have said be done to me." Freedom is synonymous with availability, and perfect love casts out all fears. Mary gave her all so that God's plan of salvation be realised in humanity. She is the ideal model of love.

Mary moves from fear in her heart to fortitude in her will and finally to freedom in her soul, refusing to let the uncertainties trouble her. She was content to live in the present with serene confidence in the Lord.

Do we let fear and anxiety grip us when faced with difficult situations? Do we trust that He will grant us strength and grace to overcome them? Or do we keep ourselves grounded in God like Mary?