Voice Divine

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: Sometimes it happens in families; you hear a voice and lo you do not understand why you are irritated.

When I say voices, I do not mean of a ghost or animal but of a beloved person of the family and after you have let out your anger against the beloved person you begin to brood:

“Why do I get irritated with my mother or father or brother or sister” and in spite of your awareness you are still at it again.

In the same way, certain persons can make us feel guilty or ashamed or sick or remind us of our pain.

It is not always a negative situation with voices, likewise we could have situations when a person could make us feel positive or at peace or more blessed or could deceive us in our spirit as being a saintly man.

Many a time the voice is enough to communicate the state in which a person is or bring about a change or effect in a person.

Hence we could have a voice that could make us feel obedient or submissive or a voice that can put us off or a voice that can make us want to listen more and more.  I am not referring to singing, where things are more prominent in comparison to speech.

Mary’s voice likewise is a special voice that has been graced in the crucible of God’s power and might and its effect is for all to see and for all generations:

For behold, when the voice of your greeting came to my ears, the babe in my womb leaped for joy. (vs. 44)

The statement not only shows the connectivity of the child in the womb with the mother, as proved with modern scientific research but also shows the deep union the mother has with the child and how an external stimuli can effect a child. 

The mother can indeed become a healing instrument when she is open to the voice of the divine, even speaking through human instruments.

The scripture too assures us that faith which is the beginning of all healing comes through hearing and hearing of the word of God (cfr. Rom. 10:17)  and Mary is no less God’s instrument bringing about a faith response and healing in the life of the first herald of the gospel, John the Baptist.

Mary pre-empts John the Baptist to be the herald of the gospel and thus even proves her faithfulness.

Prayer:  Whether it is good or evil, help us to obey your voice O Lord our God. (cfr. Jer. 42:6)

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