Blessed are you who believed that what was spoken to you by the Lord would be fulfilled! Is this the integrity we hear about in Psalm 37? A faith so deep, a knowledge of the Lord so strong that committing to Him is an indisputable consequence.
Luke 1:39-47
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 b fulfilled. And Mary said: “My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord; my spirit rejoices in God my Savior.”
being in tune
Light recognizes light! Think about how focused and steeped in Scripture these “characters” were. They recognized God’s work in their lives and they recognized God in each other. Scripture was their life’s manual.
They encouraged each other, they prayed for one another and they were content with their lives. Mary didn’t wish her circumstances were as Elizabeth’s and vice versa. They willingly participated in God’s plan with full knowledge and trust.
how can this be?
This reading illustrates charity (the visit), wisdom (knowledge of Scripture), understanding (resultant unshakeable faith) and love (for self and another, recognizing God in each other). I wondered what they had back then that we lack in this day and age?
Simplicity is what they had. They didn’t overextend themselves physically, emotionally or financially. They lived their lives focused on God and they were content with that. Nothing else mattered – not possessions, not intellect, and not appearance.
magnify him
“I’m too busy” seems to be the phrase and accepted excuse of the century! We’re too busy to relate, to share meaningful moments with family. We don’t have “time” for building an even deeper relationship with God.
We shouldn’t be fitting relationships into our schedules. Our relationship with God shouldn’t be an afterthought. How can we recognize God in another if we don’t even recognize Him in ourselves (the call to intimacy with Him)?
stock up and simplify
The season of Advent is a good time to take stock of where we stand in terms of simplicity. What really matters? Are we falling prey to the secular Christmas frenzy?
What can we do to simplify our lives and build and/or improve relationships? More importantly, are we “in tune” with each other and God as Mary and Elizabeth were? Take some time today to think about that.
God bless you!
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