Today’s Advent Reflection is from David Daniels
Mary Visits Elizabeth
Luke 1.39-45
39 In those days Mary set out and went with haste to a Judean town in the hill country, 40 where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. 41 When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the child leapt in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit 42 and exclaimed with a loud cry, ‘Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. 43 And why has this happened to me, that the mother of my Lord comes to me? 44 For as soon as I heard the sound of your greeting, the child in my womb leapt for joy. 45 And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfilment of what was spoken to her by the Lord.’
Reflection
Mary wanted to share her experience and news of being pregnant with her relative Elizabeth, who was also having a baby, which was an answer to her prayers. She had given up hope of being a mother and in those days would have been judged to be too old. Mary was betrothed to Joseph but was pregnant by the power of the Holy Spirit. The contrast is of an older married woman and a girl, yet to consummate her coming marriage. The baby carried by Elizabeth moves surprisingly when Mary greets her. The baby Elizabeth had named him John, since her husband had been made dumb and could not do so, she had been inspired to call him John. This meeting shows us the coming together of two prayerful and devout women and the impact of the guidance of the Holy Spirit working within them both. Mary had believed in God’s promise and Elizabeth had become the mother of the prophet who would proclaim the coming of the Saviour of the World.
The older woman realises the importance of the situation that when she says that she is humbled that the mother- to- be, carrying the Lord of All, should visit her. That her baby proclaimed the other child as the Saviour. This prophet inside her would be the voice crying in the wilderness, the first of many who would proclaim Jesus as the Messiah. This moment was the beginning of the events that would change the behaviour and thinking of the population of the world for all future generations. These two children would grow up and experience the learning and the guidance of their Fathers which would keep them safe.
Mary is with Jesus throughout his journey, it may be a stretch to see that Joseph was only his teacher as he was a devout Jew and would have taught him the Law. He also taught Him the skills needed to be a builder and carpenter throughout his working life; but Mary was his first disciple and followed Him. She was holding Him at his presentation in the Temple. The emphasis is the circumcision and the presentation of Jesus in the Temple, rather than the purification of Mary following his birth. Simeon who has waited his lifetime to see the Saviour proclaims Jesus as the one he has waited for. Anna has spent her life praying for the Messiah. Mary held these things in her heart.
Mary prompts the first of his miracles, He accepts the instruction given by her to the servants serving the guests, as running out of refreshment would have embarrassed their hosts.
In the last days Mary watched the cruel end to her son’s life and stood by Him to the final breath.
The Holy Spirit guided Him throughout his ministry, his mother was watching over Him as only a mother can.
What has this reading meant to me. Have I listened to God speaking to me? I have often referred to coincidences in my life. When I have prayed most fervently then sometimes there is an immediate answer – or would it have happened anyway?
Mary had a conversation which ended when she agreed by her submitting. She becomes pregnant and by this incredible action she then knows she is totally in God’s hands.
This is a special time of the year for our family, because December 18th is the birthday of our daughter Johanna. She was with us for three years and died suddenly. I was shattered and broken. I prayed for her and her Mum that we would find peace and comfort as we moved towards the funeral. Then I had a dream. Little Jo’ was running across a field towards Grandma who was holding out her arms and calling “Mano mergaite” I asked Tricia what it meant. She was very surprised and said it was Lithuanian and meant “my little girl”. She said that Grandma had moved to England and had married here. I had never heard this language. I now know there is a heaven and we will meet others. I am certain that God had spoken to me.