Mary and Elizabeth

Friday of the Second Week of Advent
Gospel: Lk 1:39-47
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/121225.cfm

Mary didn’t have to fully go it alone. While a miracle happened to her with the conception of Jesus, so had her relative, Elizabeth, had a miracle conception with pregnancy as well. With the way Luke tells the story, it is almost instantaneous that Mary decides to journey to Elizabeth. While a miracle happened to her, she was eager to celebrate Elizabeth’s miracle with her. Through this experience, they were brought closer.

Think of their spirituality! They were faithful and loyal to God and accepted with humility the role they were to play in their own personal journey. That said, they revere each other in what is happening to them. Mary travelled all that way to see Elizabeth, and Elizabeth recognized how blessed Mary is. They didn’t lose themselves in their own experience, but looked to celebrate the experience of each other.

In recognizing Mary, Elizabeth called out that Mary is blessed among women, that her child was blessed, and that she was blessed for her belief that what was told to her would be fulfilled. In other words, she was blessed in herself, blessed through her relationship, and blessed through her faith/action. Her blessedness was innate, relational, and active. I believe we have it in all of us, and God wants it to come to fruition.

Both of them accepted that, with God, it will all work out. They may not know the details or how it will all be done, but they trust in God’s providence that they will have what they need. As God put trust in Mary and Elizabeth, God puts trust in us to fulfill our role. May we, like them, find the faith and trust to return to God that which was already given to us.