As
we listen to today’s Gospel reading, perhaps it is interesting for us to note
what events are included in our Holy Scriptures & which are not. There’s no record in the Gospels of the
discussion between Mary & Joseph about what is about to happen in the birth
of Jesus. Rather, today we hear the
conversation between Mary & her cousin Elizabeth. Mary was probably a young teenager at the
time of Jesus’ birth, while Elizabeth was her much older relative. Elizabeth responds to Mary’s news not with
fear and suspicion, but instead with great joy. Elizabeth tells Mary: “Blessed
are you among women, & blessed is the fruit of your womb, Jesus.” Elizabeth is most surprised by Mary’s great
faith, but most appreciative of it as well, as Elizabeth proclaims: “Blessed is
she who believed that there would be fulfillment of what was spoken to her by
the Lord.” Indeed, blessed is any man or
woman who believes, despite all the obstacles and barriers, despite all the
evidence to the contrary, despite any ridicule or peer pressure against that
belief. God blesses us with his grace,
he seeks us out to have Christ be born in our hearts so that we might believe
& become his followers. Blessed are
we who dare to believe when God’s will acts in us in unique and unexpected
ways.
Mary
was indeed the first disciple. She is a
model of discipleship as well as being the Mother of God & the Mother of
our Church – Our Mother. May the
intercessory prayers of Mary give us guidance and strength. May her mother’s love bring us further along
on our journey of faith.
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