Reflection: Luke 1:39-56

The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary – Luke 1:39-56

The Gospel reading for this feast is a very familiar one. Mary is traveling to visit her cousin, Elizabeth. Mary had just had a visit from an unexpected and unsettling experience. She had a visitor come to her: an angel! As we know, the angel announced to Mary that she would have a child even though she was a virgin. The angel had also told her a fantastic tale. She was to have a child who would be great and he would be called “the Son of the Most High.”

Mary was confused, afraid and reeling after this encounter. She didn’t know what to make of it and she desperately needed to talk with someone she trusted: a person who would take her seriously and listen to her tale. Thus, she decided to go and visit Elizabeth. After all, Elizabeth also had had a very unusual experience: she found that she was with child even though she was far beyond the age of having children. Perhaps Elizabeth could help Mary make sense of all that was happening in her life. Mary must have been very confused and frightened. What would her parents think? What would the townspeople think when they realized that she was pregnant? Imagine the riot of emotions that were in Mary’s mind and heart!

Now, I invite you to remember a time in your life when you had an experience that was unsettling, frightening, confusing, and created difficulties for you. What was your response? What did you do? Who did you depend on? Did you go to a wise person whom you trusted? Someone you knew would listen to you and walk with you during this difficult time? Someone who could give you good advice and would support you every step of the way?

At various moments in our lives, we all will need an “Elizabeth” (who may be male or female). Take a moment to remember the “Elizabeths” in your life. Who were they? What was the impact they had on you?

Now take a few moments and give thanks for these loving and caring individuals. Ask God to bless them! And perhaps you may want to thank them in some way for being there when you needed them. And at some point, you can be an “Elizabeth” to another person!