Luke 1:39-45 “During those days Mary set out and traveled to the hill country in haste to a town of Judah, where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the infant leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth, filled with the Holy Spirit, cried out in a loud voice and said, “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.”

Resting in this chair, looking out my window at the rolling hills surrounding my home makes me feel so peaceful. Lord, what beauty You created. The last few months have been such a blessed time with just me and Zechariah and this new life growing within me. All the preparations for the baby have been moving along, but I feel myself slowing down and know that I will need help soon. Growing babies is not for the faint of heart or old of body. But, one thing I can still do is sit here and sew. 

As my needle pierces through the fabric of the blanket I am making for John, I hear a commotion in the front room. Who could that be? We haven’t had visitors here for a while. There was such a big to-do about Zechariah’s silence at first, but once the novelty wore off, people moved onto the next juicy piece of gossip in town. 

“Elizabeth! I must see you!” 

That voice. Those words. My heart quickens and suddenly the baby within me begins to leap. It feels as if my body can barely contain him. I’ve never felt him move like this, as if he’s pushing me forward towards the sound of that voice. I scramble out of the chair as quickly as my age and size will allow, dropping my sewing to the floor in my rush to move to the front room. 

And there standing in the doorway is my young cousin, Mary. The evening glow of the sunset surrounds her and my eyes cannot believe the image. What is she doing here all the way from Nazareth? 

And suddenly I know. I don’t know how I know, but it all becomes clear. My son, the prophet. Her son, the Messiah. Something miraculous is happening and Lord, You are moving among us in a most powerful way. 

The words are coming forth from my lips before I even realize I’m speaking and yet, they are not from me. The Spirit of the Lord is present. Look at her face. She is glowing from within. She has been chosen. Chosen by Him for the most honored task. 

“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.”

Lord, only You alone could have done this. You alone have shown me what part we are to play in this drama. I no longer feel alone with Zechariah. Now I can see next piece of the puzzle. Let this journey continue. 

Oh, Mary! Let us share our good news together. 

Reflection Questions: Elizabeth has had six months to come to terms with her part and her miracle. Now she is shown the next piece of the puzzle. What do you think of her reaction? What would you do in her position? If you were to come face to face with our Blessed Mother, what would you say to her? Have you ever thought about that? 

Prayer: Sweet Jesus, you were growing under your mother’s heart when she came to visit Elizabeth and John knew You. Even within his mother’s womb, he recognized You. Help me to be so aware and filled with Your Spirit that I will see You hidden within others.