Mary’s Gift

Today’s Gospel Text: In those days Mary arose and went with haste into the hill country, to a city of Judah, 40 and she entered the house of Zechari'ah and greeted Elizabeth. 41 And when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit 42 and she exclaimed with a loud cry, "Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! 43 And why is this granted me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? 44 For behold, when the voice of your greeting came to my ears, the babe in my womb leaped for joy. 45 And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfilment of what was spoken to her from the Lord." 46 And Mary said,"My soul magnifies the Lord, 47 and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, 48 for he has regarded the low estate of his handmaiden. For behold, henceforth all generations will call me blessed; 49 for he who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name. 50 And his mercy is on those who fear him from generation to generation. 51 He has shown strength with his arm, he has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts, 52 he has put down the mighty from their thrones, and exalted those of low degree; 53 he has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent empty away. 54 He has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy, 55 as he spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to his posterity for ever." 56 And Mary remained with her about three months, and returned to her home. Luke 1:39-56

Reflection: As Christians we have received the Holy Spirit of God at Baptism, many of us have received him through the faith of our parents.

This grace and working of the Holy Spirit has to be renewed constantly in us, as we walk with the Lord.

If we are filed with the Holy Spirit then we become instruments of the Holy Spirit and are able to bring about the same life giving grace, as Mary did, on to others.

Mary is a perfect example of this grace at work. Even before her son is born or glorified she becomes an instrument, baptizing in a way Elizabeth with the Holy Spirit and healing John the Baptist in her womb, enabling him, so as to leap with joy in his mothers womb.

Such is the reach of Mary and her greatness as the humble handmaid of the Lord, that a mere hearing of her greeting is enough for Elizabeth to be filed with the Holy Spirit.

It is the younger who becomes an instrument of blessing, to the old woman Elizabeth and her child John the Baptist, in the womb. 

What made Mary so special, that she becomes a powerful instrument of the Holy Spirit? The Holy Spirit himself reveals it to us through the mouth of Elizabeth: “…blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her from the Lord."

Mary did not allow any fears of the future dark prospects or persecutions to cloud her mind or anxieties of the rejections of men to rule her life, nor did she allow in her mind doubts of the much impossibility or the human possibilities that reason compels us to think.

Such unalloyed faith can only be an expression of a heart that is immaculate, knowing God and deeply lived in that relationship.

Prayer: Holy Mary, mother of my Lord and savior, pray for us sinners, that we may always be attuned to God’s Holy Spirit and live our lives according to him.

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