the e-Testament
Luke 1: 39-56
Blessed Among Women
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.
Prayer
Hail Mary, full of grace,
the Lord is with thee;
blessed art thou amongst women,
and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
Holy Mary, Mother of God,
pray for us sinners,
now and at the hour of our death.
Amen
Reflection
I must admit, I sometimes forget about Mary in my prayers. However, this piece of scripture reminds me of how important she is to the faith.
Mary was blessed to be spoken to by God and blessed to bring the Son of God to us. She was also the most important disciple of Jesus. She was with Jesus from the beginning, following him in all of his works, believing in everything he did. She never abandoned him.
Mary was blessed to have been chosen, as God knew that she would be resilient in her beliefs of her Son. Children always look to their mother’s for when they’re hurt or in distress. As we do, we look to Mary in time of hurt and distress. We pray for her intercession in the current climate of conflict and uncertainty for many people around the world.
Jonny Dearden
Salesian Volunteer