This is not a bad way to start a morning. Think of<br > it: a message from an angel. A greeting of peace. The<br > assurance that God is with you and even likes you! And<br > a blessing.<br > Yet look at Mary s response:<br > Mary was deeply troubled . . . and she wondered<br >(Lk 1:29).<br > Wonder is the heart of prayer， pondering the mean-<br >ing of things: of messengers from God， of his presence<br >hidden within， of countless blessings， of pain and love.<br >This kind of prayer is not a one-time thing with Mary.<br > When the shepherds came across the early-morning<br >fields to see the newly-born child， and when they<br >themselves were filled with wonder， telling everyone<br >they met about him， the scripture says of Mary that she<br >"remembered all these things and thought deeply about<br >them" (Lk 2:19).<br > Mary s basic stance toward life was that of a person<br >of prayer: She wondered， thought deeply， reflected，<br >remembered， pondered.<br >