Magnificat in D
35 The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. 36 Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be unable to conceive is in her sixth month. 37 For no word from God will ever fail.” 38 “I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.” Then the angel left her. 39 In those days Mary set out and went with haste to a Judean town in the hill country, 40 where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. 41 When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the child leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit (Luke 1:35-41)
According to Luke's gospel, as soon as the angel, Gabriel, left Mary she immediately went to see Elizabeth. Imagine the excitement mixed with fear as she ran to the only person who could possibly understand what she was experiencing. All of the stories Mary had heard about God, Yahweh, all of the prophecies - now coming to fruition in a way that could cost her everything, including her life. She had no idea how her parents would react, or how Joseph would respond as her betrothed. What if no one believed her?
As she traveled, thoughts of what to say, how to explain, must have flooded her mind. But, as soon as Mary arrived, everything was confirmed, everything was understood - no explanations needed. When the child within Elizabeth jumped and Elizabeth was filled with the Spirit, Mary burst forth with words of amazement, hope, relief, and joy tinged with the weight of the world - the weight of who this child would be
and who she would need to become.
Unexpected blessings are not always easy to receive. Sometimes the new thing that God is doing feels impossible to bear. We, like Elizabeth, may be in our position of blessing to encourage someone else, or we may find ourselves in need of encouragement. We can rest assured that God provides. Like Mary, we can, in faith, rehearse the promises of God, and encourage ourselves that God is able to do more than we can ask, think or imagine.
45 "And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her by the Lord." 46 And Mary said, "My soul magnifies the Lord, 47 and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, 48 for he has looked with favor on the lowliness of his servant. Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed; 49 for the Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is his name. 50 His mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation. 51 He has shown strength with his arm; he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts. 52 He has brought down the powerful from their thrones, and lifted up the lowly; 53 he has filled the hungry with good things, and sent the rich away empty. 54 He has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy, 55 according to the promise he made to our ancestors, to Abraham and to his descendants forever."
(Luke 1:45-55)
