Reflection: Luke 1:39-45

Monday of the Fourth Week of Advent –Luke 1:39-45

Today Mary sets out on a journey.  She travels to the hill country to the town of Judah.  She was anxious to see her cousin Elizabeth.  Mary had strange and yet wondrous news for Elizabeth.

When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting to her, immediately the infant within her womb leaped for joy.  Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit and she cried out to Mary and said: “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb.” Elizabeth then asked Mary: “How is it that the mother of my Lord should come to me?”  Then Elizabeth told Mary how the child within her womb had leapt for joy as Mary approached her.  Elizabeth added: “Blessed are you who believed what God had spoken to you.”  God’s Word had been fulfilled!

Imagine what emotions these two women who were “with child” had when they came together.  The path for Mary and Elizabeth had been strange and yet wondrous.  Imagine the conversations they had as they compared their experiences.  Did they share their fears and concerns?  Did they joyfully prepare for the coming of the new born babes?  What a gift it must have been for these two women to be together at this special time in their lives!   

The sons of these two women changed history and the world.  Did Mary and Elizabeth even conceive that this would be a possibility for their children?  Did they praise God?  Did they ask God to bless their children with good health, a strong mind, body and heart?  Did they dream that their children might accomplish great and wondrous things?   If you are a parent, you can imagine the many conversations that Mary and Elizabeth had.  They must have talked about their dreams and hopes for their children.  Little did they know that their sons would change the course of history forever!

God (or life) also may call us in ways that we would never imagine.  At these times, may we pray to Mary and Elizabeth and ask them to companion us on this journey.  They truly understand the fear, the confusion, as well as the great joy that life may gift us with.  Today bring any situation that confounds or frightens you to Mary and Elizabeth.  Pray to be graced with great trust in God.  Believe that God is with you!  God will strengthen you and God will guide you!  And eventually, you will be filled with joy!