Word to the Wise
Friday, December 21, 2007 - Friday of the Third Week of Advent
[Song of Songs 2:8-14 or Zephaniah 3:14-18A and Luke 1:39-45]Most blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. And how does this happen to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For at the moment the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the infant in my womb leaped for joy. Blessed are you who believed that what was spoken to you by the Lord would be fulfilled.
One can imagine that part of what Elizabeth experienced was sheer surprise! After all, there were no telephones or other forms of mass communication other than by oral message for most folks then. Mary learned of Elizabeth's pregnancy from the angel, Gabriel! So, her visit was very likely a surprise to Elizabeth! There is also the human element of two women who are pregnant for the first (and only) time and both quite surprised by THAT! One can only imagine the stories they had to tell one another! However, as we have seen with almost every section of the infancy narratives in Matthew and Luke, the entire gospel seems contained in each incident. The warm human element is the vehicle for preaching about Jesus. Elizabeth recognizes and honors Mary as the physical mother of the Messiah. John the Baptist, 6 months older in gestation, "goes before the Lord" in anticipation. And last but not least, Elizabeth recognizes Mary as a true disciple - the one who believes that the word of God will be fulfilled. Two Spirit-filled women rejoice in their life-giving state. Neither shows any inkling of the terrible ending that would come to their sons! Although the "Visitation" can have a special impact for women, there is the universal appeal to recognize the coming of the Messiah, to rejoice in his coming, and to proclaim that the Lord's Word will be fulfilled. Male and female alike are called to that! AMEN
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