Questo articolo è disponibile anche in: Italian English Spanish

Dear father Angelo,
Thanking you again for the commendable work you were called to undertake by running this website (I am certain you will be very highly rewarded), I submit to you another doubt.
What is the difference between the moment of bewilderment that Mary experienced at the Annunciation (“how can this be since I know not a man?”), and Zecharia’s and Moses’ incredulity?
She is considered to have been perfectly humble and compliant in her choice, while the other two were deemed to be guilty of not showing much faith in their particular circumstances, and therefore they were punished.
Thanks,
Maurizio

Priest’s answer

Dear friend,
First of all I apologize for the very late reply. I could read your email only today.

1. The explanation that is commonly given to your question is the following: Our Lady had made a vow, or pledge, of virginity.
She was certain that this was God’s will.
Therefore all she does is ask: how can the vow made be reconciled with the request of maternity expressed by the Angel?
The Angel confirms to her that the pledge is still valid and that such thinking could come from none other but God.
It was exactly what God willed, so that the Son generated in her would not have a human paternity.

2. The famous biblist Marco Sales writes: “Mary does not doubt the words of the Angel. She does not ask for a sign, as Zechariah does.
Filled with admiration and awe for such an extraordinary announcement, she humbly asks how such promises can be carried out.
The biblical expression “I know not a man” means: no marital relations.
These words by Mary Most Holy clearly reveal her vow of perpetual virginity and her resolve to keep it in spite of her marriage. Had she intended to engage in marital relations, the announcement of the birth of a son would not have produced any bewilderment, nor would it have seemed complicated to her” (Comment to Lk 1,34).

3. About the pledge of virginity of Our Lady, St. Augustine writes: “ Before He was conceived, He chose a virgin already dedicated to God, as that from which to be born. This is shown by the words which Mary spoke in answer to the Angel announcing to her conception; How, says she, shall this be, seeing I know not a man?” (Of Holy Virginity, 4). 

4. Therefore our Lady is not showing incredulity, but is rather only asking for an explanation, and is ready to do God’s will.
St. Ambrose observes that “such an answer is more moderate than the words of Zechariah the priest. She says: How shall this be? While Zechariah replied: How can I know this? He refuses to believe and almost goes searching for another author of the faith, while she confesses her readiness to comply and does not doubt about the need to comply, but only asks how this could happen.
Mary had read: “ The virgin shall be with child, and bear a son” (Is 7,14). Therefore she believed this would happen, but she could not read how it would happen; in fact how it would happen had not been revealed to the prophet: such a great mystery was not to be revealed by the mouth of a man, but by an Angel” (Exposition of the Gospel according to Luke, 2,14)

5. Zechariah, the father of John the Baptist, showed incredulity because he was advanced in age.  So was his wife. Moreover, she was also barren.
Even Moses doubted.  God had told him: “Take the staff and assemble the community, you and your brother Aaron, and in their presence order the rock to yield its waters. From the rock you shall bring forth water for the community and their livestock to drink” (Num 20,8).
Marco Sales observes that “God had commanded to speak to the rock and not to strike it, and even conceding that the command to speak to the rock also implied striking it with his staff, the fact that he struck it twice reveals a certain sentiment of irritation and diffidence on his part”.
No such diffidence was present in Mary.
On the contrary, in her there was total openness.

May God always find the same openness in us. I bless you and remember you in prayer.
Father Angelo