When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leapt in her womb. Elizabeth was filled with the
Holy Spirit, and, giving a loud cry, said, “You are most blessed among women; and blessed is
the fruit of your womb! How is it, that the mother of my Lord comes to me? The moment your
greeting sounded in my ears, the baby within me suddenly leapt for joy. Blessed are you, who
believed that the Lord’s word would come true!”
And Mary said, “My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord, my spirit exults in God, my savior!
He has looked upon his servant, in her lowliness, and people, forever, will call me blessed.
The Mighty One has done great things for me, Holy is his Name!
From age to age, his mercy extends to those who live in his presence. He has acted with power
and done wonders, and scattered the proud with their plans. He has put down the mighty from
their thrones, and lifted up those who are downtrodden. He has filled the hungry with good things,
but has sent the rich away empty. He held out his hand to Israel, his servant, for he remembered
his mercy, even as he promised to our fathers, to Abraham and his descendants forever.”
Mary remained with Elizabeth about three months, and then returned home.
Reflect
Mary’s visit to her kinswoman Elizabeth is one of the most joy-filled scenes in Scripture.
You can feel the love and delight experienced by these women. They leap off the page.
But their joy, like the joys that we experience in life, is not a simple, uncomplicated thing.
Neither woman has an easy pain-free journey ahead of her. Elizabeth is already elderly
when she becomes pregnant. In her later years, she will need to use all her stamina to
parent an energetic baby and toddler. I think of all the grandparents who have assumed
guardianship of their grandchildren, generously pouring themselves out to help when the
parents cannot. Mary faces a pregnancy that will be shrouded by whispers and questions,
followed by giving birth far from home in a less than comfortable space. In her name, I
remember the mothers who bravely face difficult pregnancies when it would be much
easier to make it go away.
As Mary and Elizabeth came together to support each other, let us be like Mary and
Elizabeth in our own day, with loving support so that the birth of every child will be a
cause of joy.
© Copyright Bible Diary 2023