The Handmaid of the Lord

The Handmaid of the Lord
By Henry Ossawa Tanner

"And Mary said, Behold, the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word."
Luke 1:38
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In the quiet, transformative moment captured by Henry Ossawa Tanner in this study of the Annunciation, we find a profound lesson on the nature of faith. Tanner’s portrayal emphasizes the intimacy and solemnity of this sacred moment. Mary, illuminated by the divine light that represents the Angel Gabriel, here appears reflective, almost hesitant. Yet, it is in this hesitation that we find the depth of her faith. Mary’s faith-filled response becomes a testament not to an absence of fear, but to the presence of faith in the face of it.

This moment encapsulates the essence of true faith: an unwavering trust in God’s will, even – and perhaps especially – when the path forward is clouded with uncertainty. Richard Rohr has taught that “True faith is not a leap into the dark; it’s a leap into the light of what is already there but unseen.” Mary’s humble acceptance of her call echoes this sentiment, showing that faith involves embracing God’s will with open arms, even when it leads into the unknown. Mary’s faith was not a denial of her fear or confusion; rather, it was a commitment to trust in God’s plan for her life, regardless of her present circumstances or emotions.

The painting reveals the value of quiet faith, and the blessings that accompany it. The divine light does not overwhelm Mary but gently illuminates her, symbolizing how God’s call, though sometimes daunting, can also be a source of enlightenment and growth. That faith is not about the absence of doubt or fear, but about moving forward despite them, trusting that God’s purposes are greater than our immediate understanding. As Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. taught, “Take the first step in faith. You don’t have to see the whole staircase, just take the first step.”

Mary’s response and Tanner’s depiction here invite us to consider our own responses to God’s callings, however challenging they may sometimes seem. Faith is a journey of trust, obedience, and surrender to the divine will. It is a reminder that, in the face of the impossible, our strength lies not in our understanding in knowing the path ahead of time, but in our willingness to say, “Behold, I am a servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.”

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