31-May-16

Gospel LK 1:39-56
Mary set out
and traveled to the hill country in haste
to a town of Judah,
where she entered the house of Zechariah
and greeted Elizabeth.
When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting,
the infant leaped in her womb,
and Elizabeth, filled with the Holy Spirit,
cried out in a loud voice and said,
“Most blessed are you among women,
and blessed is the fruit of your womb.
And how does this happen to me,
that the mother of my Lord should come to me?
For at the moment the sound of your greeting reached my ears,
the infant in my womb leaped for joy.
Blessed are you who believed
that what was spoken to you by the Lord
would be fulfilled.”
And Mary said:
“My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord;
my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
for he has looked with favor on his lowly servant.
From this day all generations will call me blessed:
the Almighty has done great things for me,
and holy is his Name.
He has mercy on those who fear him
in every generation.
He has shown the strength of his arm,
he has scattered the proud in their conceit.
He has cast down the mighty from their thrones,
and has lifted up the lowly.
He has filled the hungry with good things,
and the rich he has sent away empty.
He has come to the help of his servant Israel
for he has remembered his promise of mercy,
the promise he made to our fathers,
to Abraham and his children for ever.”
Mary remained with her about three months
and then returned to her home.
Reflection:
"Mary set out
and traveled to the hill country in haste
to a town of Judah,
where she entered the house of Zechariah
and greeted Elizabeth."
Here we have two women both with child whom, by human precepts, should not be pregnant.
Elizabeth, barren and well beyond child bearing age, is miraculously pregnant.
Mary, a virgin who has never been with a man, miraculously bears the son of God in her womb.
"When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting,
the infant leaped in her womb,
and Elizabeth, filled with the Holy Spirit,
cried out in a loud voice and said,
“Most blessed are you among women,
and blessed is the fruit of your womb.
And how does this happen to me,
that the mother of my Lord should come to me?
For at the moment the sound of your greeting reached my ears,
the infant in my womb leaped for joy.
Blessed are you who believed
that what was spoken to you by the Lord
would be fulfilled.”
I picture young Mary with an unexplainable pregnancy in a society that would be quick to condemn.
Joseph and others who loved Mary must have struggled against their human nature to accept her story of the visitation of an angel.
Showing signs of being with child, this pure hearted young girl left the only home she had ever known and traveled to her aunt's for safe haven.
Not knowing what kind of greeting to expect, young Mary arrived at her aunt's door and was greeted by Elizabeth with a blessing and affirmation for having ".....believed what was spoken to you by the Lord would be fulfilled."
How wise and loving of God to sent Mary to the one person who, because of her own miraculous pregnancy, could understand, welcome and affirm Mary's faith.
Elizabeth's loving words of welcome, her belief and acceptance of Mary, inspired the faith filled virgin to respond with the "Magnificat," her song of praise, adoration and wisdom of God.
As I ponder Elizabeth's loving affirmation of Mary, I pray in thanksgiving for those who have encouraged and affirmed me as I have struggled to follow the will of God.
And, Elizabeth's greeting to Mary calls me to be a beacon of love, hope and encouragement to others as they journey on their path of faith.

"A true friend know your weaknesses, but shows you your strengths: feels your fears but fortifies your faith: sees your anxieties but frees your spirit: recognizes your disabilities but emphasizes your possibilities." - - William Ward