Wednesday, August 31, 2016

5. Mary's Visit to Elizabeth (Lk 1:39-56)



The angel departed and Mary arose and went into the hill country to the house of Zechariah. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. She called out with a loud voice, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! Why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For behold, when the voice of your greeting came into my ears, the baby leaped in my womb for joy! Blessed is she who believed, for there will be a fulfillment of the things spoken to her from the Lord!”

Mary said,

“My soul magnifies the Lord.
    My spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior,
    for he has looked at the humble state of his servant.
From now on, all generations will call me blessed.
    For he who is mighty has done great things for me.
    Holy is his name.
    His mercy is for generations of generations on those who fear him.
He has shown strength with his arm.
    He has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.
He has put down princes from their thrones.
    He has exalted the lowly.
He has filled the hungry with good things.
    He has sent the rich away empty.
He has given help to Israel, his servant, that he might remember mercy,
    As he spoke to our fathers,
    to Abraham and his offspring forever.”

Mary stayed with her about three months, and then returned to her house. 

 

For Reflection


    The Bible doesn't say why Mary visited Elizabeth, but part of the reason had to be their shared experience of miraculous pregnancies. I wonder how many times they said to each other, “Can you believe this is really happening?”

Have you ever had a profound sense of wonder at God's presence in your life? Sharing that sense with others creates a deep connection with them. How long has it been since you’ve done that?

Prayer: Remind me, Lord, that my intimate moments with you are to be shared with others in building a spiritual community.
 

Tuesday, August 30, 2016

4. Birth of Jesus Foretold (Lk 1:26-38)



Now in the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent from God to Nazareth, a city of Galilee, to Mary , who was pledged to be married to Joseph, a descendant of David. The angel said to her, “Rejoice, highly favored one! The Lord is with you. Blessed are you among women!”

When she saw the angel, Mary was greatly troubled, and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. The angel said to her, “Don’t be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. Behold, you will conceive in your womb, and give birth to a son, and will call his name ‘Jesus.’ He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father, David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; there will be no end to his Kingdom.”

Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I am a virgin?”

The angel answered her, “The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. The holy one born in you will be called the Son of God. Elizabeth, your relative, also has conceived a son in her old age; and this is the sixth month with her who was called barren. Nothing spoken by God is impossible.”

Mary said, “I am the servant of the Lord; let it be done to me as you have said.” 

 

For Reflection:

       Both Mary and Zechariah raised questions when told by Gabriel of an impending miraculous birth. There was a difference, though, between their responses: Mary didn’t understand; Zechariah didn’t believe. Mary’s ultimate response sounds much like what Jesus prayed in Gethsemane: “Not my will, but yours, be done.”

Have you ever heard the still, small voice of God with a message for you personally? Would your response be more like that of Mary or of Zechariah?

Prayer: Help my willingness to be faithful, Lord, not be limited by my need to understand.