December 11th

Luke 1:39-45

Today’s reading is much shorter, but it gives us an insight into the relationship between Mary and her cousin Elizabeth. Mary visits Elizabeth a few days after the angel Gabriel’s visit, when Elizabeth is 6 months pregnant. Mary’s presence causes Elizabeth’s unborn child to respond, ‘to leap’. Elizabeth is filled with the Holy Spirit and perhaps it is at this moment that the angel’s prophecy that John will be filled with the Spirit from before birth comes true. She is speaking prophetically when she says that the mother of my Lord has visited me! She knows Mary’s baby will be the more important of the two, and she tells Mary ‘you are blessed because you believed’. Elizabeth’s response confirms what the angel has said about her own child, that he will prepare the way for the Lord, and she is the first to call Jesus ‘Lord’.

Mary needs the friendship of her cousin, someone who has experienced her own extraordinary miracle. She needs community, strength and the care of those who will understand her and not judge her. Elizabeth is older, wiser and has walked with God a long time. Both women demonstrate a humility and yieldedness to the Lord that is expressed in their care of each other. Verse 56 tells us that Mary stayed with Elizabeth for three months until just before John is born.

Mary and Elizabeth are true disciples, they hear, believe and give themselves to God’s purposes. They are women of faith.

Reflection 

Being a friend and needing friends are important parts of our lives. We are made to live in community, and a community of faith can be crucial to us remaining faithful worshippers of the Lord. Do you need a friend or to be a friend at this time? Is there someone you can call on, or someone to whom you could offer a listening ear? Consider how you might put this into action.