Mysteries Of JoySample

The Visitation of Mary to Elizabeth The second mystery to explore is the beautiful story of Mary visiting Elizabeth. It is such a simple heartwarming story of family and normality at the start of the Gospel, but contains a profound, in the womb, encounter between John the Baptist and Jesus. It is striking to note that these two women have such a role at the beginning of Luke’s account. Elizabeth is filled with the Holy Spirit at the sound of Mary’s greeting. She recognizes, through a profound revelation of this Holy Spirit, who Jesus is and is moved to joy. God is even more faithful than she had expected. Remember, this is a woman who thought she was not going to become a mum, but through God’s grace her life is transformed. Now she recognizes that what God has done for her is just a small representation of what He is doing for the whole of creation. Mary echoes this is the stunning magnificent hymn that she proclaims. God is faithful and is acting as a God of justice, mercy, and grace. We don’t know exactly why Mary went to visit Elizabeth, but it seems a simple and normal action of family, even though it would have taken her between three and five days depending on how she traveled. To make that sort of journey demands a certain level of faith in the words spoken by the angel at the annunciation. Again we are encouraged to act with faith and to trust that God is faithful. It is interesting to ponder the roles of both these women in the lives of their children. What did Elizabeth say to John as he was growing up? What did she tell him about this visit of Mary and the Messiah in her womb? It is one of those moments that allows us to see God’s will and plan in action but could not be contemplated before or even during the event. We are encouraged to trust God, to bring Jesus to people, to allow the Holy Spirit to fill them, and to allow God to sow seeds that grow in time and bring about his purpose and plan. How liberating to not be in charge or in control, simply being ourselves with Christ literally growing inside of us. Pray a simple prayer over and over as you consider this piece of scripture.