Luke 1: 39-56

When the Angel had left her Mary didn’t waste a minute.
She got up and travelled to a town in Judah in the hill country, straight to Zachariah’s house, and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby in her womb leaped. She was filled with the Holy Spirit, and sang out exuberantly,

“You’re so blessed among women, and the babe in your womb, also blessed!
And why am I so blessed that the mother of my Lord visits me?
The moment the sound of your greeting entered my ears, the babe in my womb skipped like a lamb for sheer joy.
Blessed woman, who believed what God said, believed every word would come true!

And Mary said,
“I’m bursting with God-news; I’m dancing the song of my Saviour God.
God took one good look at me, and look what happened – I’m the most fortunate woman on earth!
What God has done for me will never be forgotten, the God whose very name is holy, set apart from all others.
His mercy flows in wave after wave on those who are in awe before him.
He bared his arm and showed his strength, scattered the bluffing braggarts.
He knocked tyrants off their high horses, pulled victims out of the mud.
The starving poor sat down to a banquet; the callous rich were left out in the cold.
He embraced his chosen child, Israel; he remembered and piled on the mercies, piled them high.
It’s exactly what he promised, beginning with Abraham and right up to now”.

Mary stayed with Elizabeth for three months and then went back to her own home.

Gospel Reflection

This Gospel began as Mary set off to travel in haste to the hill country to the town of Judah. When she arrived there, Mary went to the house of Zechariah and greeted her cousin, Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the infant Elizabeth was carrying “leaped in her womb.” In that instant, Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.

Elizabeth said to Mary: “Blessed are you among women and blessed is the fruit of your womb. How is it that the mother of my Lord should come to me?” Was Elizabeth astonished at the words that she uttered? Where did these words come from? Clearly, Elizabeth had received this revelation from God. She knew that the child that Mary was carrying a very special child. She realized that this child would be her Lord. Do we take Jesus’ coming into the world for granted or are we amazed, astounded, and filled with joy that our Lord Jesus came to earth as a small, fragile, baby boy? He was born to peasants, not royalty. He wanted to become one of us. He wanted to walk among us.

Today Jesus will come to us. Most likely, he will come to when we least expect him. He may come disguised as a friend or he may come to us in the helping hand of a stranger. Perhaps Jesus simply will come in quiet and peace. Be awake throughout this day. You may encounter Jesus several times and others may meet Jesus through you.