Podcast Summary
All Things Catholic with Dr. Edward Sri
Episode: Giving God a Full ‘Yes’ Like Mary
Date: November 11, 2025
Host: Dr. Edward Sri, on location in Nazareth at the Church of the Annunciation
Overview of the Episode’s Main Theme
In this special episode, Dr. Edward Sri takes listeners on a spiritual pilgrimage to the Church of the Annunciation in Nazareth, the site commemorating the moment Mary gave her “yes” (fiat) to God, making possible the Incarnation. The episode explores the profound theological and spiritual significance of the Annunciation—God breaking into human history—and invites listeners to reflect on their own openness to God’s will, using Mary’s example as a guide.
Key Discussion Points and Insights
1. The Underappreciated Mystery of the Annunciation
- Location significance: The Church of the Annunciation is one of the three most important churches in the Holy Land, alongside the Holy Sepulcher and the Nativity, though it’s often less celebrated (01:00).
- Turning point: Dr. Sri emphasizes that the Annunciation is the “turning point of salvation history”—the moment when “the Word was made flesh” as Mary said yes to God (03:50).
2. Symbolism in the Church’s Facade and Doors
- Art and architecture: The facade and doors of the church are filled with rich symbolism, from Adam and Eve (the fall), prophecies of Genesis 3:15 and Isaiah 7:14, to the figures of the gospel writers, patriarchs, prophets, apostles, and scenes from Jesus’ life (05:30).
- Left door: Stories of Adam and Eve, their curse, and the hope of a savior (04:30).
- Prophecies: Genesis 3:15 and Isaiah 7:14 are visually represented—the foretelling of a savior and the virgin conception.
- Central door: “You’re literally passing through salvation history” as art depicts events from both the Old and New Testaments (08:00).
- Quote: “The art here is meant to remind us of this profound event—the most profound event in the history of the world, the turning point… God breaking into human history, dwelling among us.” (09:00)
3. Physical and Spiritual Structure of the Church
- Design: The lower church is constructed around the archaeological excavation believed to be Mary’s house; the altar on the site is inscribed with “Verbo caro factum est hic – The Word was made flesh here.” (12:10)
- Spiritual metaphor: Dr. Sri compares the central opening in the church architecture to the soul—encouraging listeners to allow space for God to “descend” into their hearts (13:40).
- Quote: “That’s my prayer, that your soul is like the architecture of this church, that there’s this opening... that allows God to come in.” (13:55)
4. The Essence of Mary’s Fiat—Her Radical, Joyful ‘Yes’
- Mary’s situation: Drawing listeners into Mary’s perspective—a young, unknown woman unexpectedly greeted by an angel in the midst of an ordinary day (15:20).
- Progression of revelations: The angel announces not only a child, not only the Messiah, but the Son of God, conceived as a virgin (19:40).
- Mary’s response: Dr. Sri highlights the generosity, freedom, and joy of Mary’s “yes.”
- Quote: “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. Be it done unto me according to your word.” –Mary (23:00)
- Greek term: The Greek word “genoito” (let it be done) expresses Mary’s eager willingness, not mere passive acceptance (23:30).
- John Paul II’s insight: Mary’s fiat was not a begrudging submission but an act of love and anticipation—“as if she can’t help but jump and say, yes, I want to do this” (24:10).
- Comparison: Dr. Sri contrasts Mary’s love-driven obedience with mere obligation or reluctant compliance—encourages Catholics to pursue a similar loving attitude toward God’s will (25:25).
5. Personal Application: Allowing God to Enter Our Lives
- Invitation: Dr. Sri urges listeners to model their openness to God on Mary’s full-hearted “yes.” God doesn’t force His way in; He waits for our active amen/fiat (16:50, 27:00).
- Quote: “If we want God to enter into our lives, we have to remember, He doesn’t force Himself. God stands at the door and knocks. He’s waiting for us to say yes. He’s waiting for our own fiat.” (16:55)
- Practicing openness: He encourages making space for prayer, reflection, and letting God “break through” areas of weakness, confusion, or sin (14:30).
Notable Quotes and Memorable Moments
-
On the Annunciation’s importance:
“The turning point of the history of the world took place right here in Nazareth at the Annunciation.” (03:50) -
On Mary’s response:
“Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. Be it done unto me according to your will.” (23:00)
—Dr. Sri reflects that the Greek for “let it be done,” genoito, signals an active longing, not resignation (23:30). -
On our own response to God:
“When we sense God is breaking into our lives… we don’t respond like a private in the military—’Yes, sir, I have to do this.’ We respond with a heart of a lover, a heart full of love, like Mary did.” (25:40)
Important Timestamps
- 01:00: The Church of the Annunciation vs. Bethlehem and the Holy Sepulcher
- 03:50: The Annunciation as turning point in salvation history
- 05:30: Art and symbolism of the church’s facade and doors
- 12:10: The excavations and the Latin inscription on the altar
- 13:55: The soul as an open space for God—architectural metaphor
- 15:20: Imagining Mary’s ordinary, youthful situation at the time of the Annunciation
- 19:40: The angel’s escalating revelation to Mary (child, Messiah, Son of God)
- 23:00-24:30: The meaning and depth of Mary’s fiat (genoito)
- 25:40: Loving, willing obedience vs. reluctant compliance
- 27:00: God’s invitation—He knocks, we freely respond
Final Reflection
Dr. Sri concludes by encouraging listeners to spend time in prayer, allowing God to descend into the “central opening” of their souls just as He did at the Annunciation. The spiritual pilgrimage is not merely about visiting holy sites but about opening oneself to God’s presence and responding with a loving, unreserved “yes” like Mary.
Ending Prayer: The episode closes with a traditional prayer: “Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit…” (28:10)