Here is the link to today’s reading: http://bible.oremus.org/?ql=322222617
When compared with yesterday’s reading, it is easy to see the parallels drawn between Elizabeth and Mary, or at least their reactions to the news that they would be bearing a son who would be considered holy.
It would be great if we had more details, wouldn’t it. Luke acknowledges that Mary was at first blush a little surprised at the possibility of her being pregnant, but her conversion to accepting it happens rather quickly, was it really that quick, would you be able to accept that reality as quickly as Luke makes it appear?
I would also love to know why Mary took the trip to see Elizabeth, did she make the trip on a regular basis? Was Mary going to see if what the angel had told her was true? Was Mary being sent away given her “unplanned” teenage pregnancy? For as committed as Luke is to accuracy and the truth, I for one am still left with a lot of questions.
But that theme of God doing amazing things is clearly there, and I have to imagine that if Mary was not totally convinced before her trip to see Elizabeth, she was completed convinced of the angels story pretty shortly after arriving, which we will get to hear about in more detail tomorrow.
Also, don’t miss the bit of the rosary in this text, “blessed are you among woman, and blessed is the fruit of your womb”
Questions:
- Would the Gospel narrative still have the same power if this particular story was absent?
- In what ways does this text bring you into a deeper relationship with God?
- If you pray the rosary, how might the knowledge that part of the prayer came from Elizabeth inform the way you engage in the rosary?