This Gospel text shows the Holy Spirit’s presence during Mary's visit to Elizabeth. John the Baptist leaps joyfully in Elizabeth's womb as the Holy Spirit leads him to recognise Jesus. With this, Elizabeth immediately recognises the baby in Mary’s womb and speaks with joy and insight. Mary, also moved by the Holy Spirit, sings her song of praise and joy. We hear that she, without doubt, knows
she has been gifted with the promised baby “who will be called the Son of the Most High”. (Luke 1:32) How it must all be welling up in her.
Mary’s canticle, known as the Magnificat, is reminiscent of Hannah’s (1 Samuel 2:1-10) and includes other Old Testament passages. We know, therefore, that Mary has a strong background in scripture. God has so carefully chosen the young woman responsible for the parenting of Jesus. What trust God
has in Mary and Joseph, to whom the angel Gabriel will soon bring a message in a dream. (Matthew 1:18-25)
Mary always points us towards God and what God is doing in our lives. In her joy and humility, she invites us to join her in rejoicing in God, acknowledging that “the Almighty has done great things” and recognising that God, the Holy One, is always merciful. Mary reminds us today to encounter God in praise and joy as we recognise
that God is active in our lives and to fulfil what God chooses us to be and do.
With whom can I share my joyous experiences of God?
Am I, like Mary, ready to start to point to Jesus in all I am, do, and say?
What do I want? Who do I want to be? How do I want to live?
Reflect on the following
thoughts:
God has chosen me to bear fruit for him,
God has chosen you to bear fruit for him,
God has chosen us to bear fruit for him.
Reflections by Kath Knowles
