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Scripture: Luke 1:39-56 (alternate reading: Matthew 18:1-5,10,12-14)
39 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 Zechariah 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
fulfillment 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.
Scripture: 1 Corinthians 15:20-27
20 Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of
those who have fallen asleep. 21 For as by a man came death, by a
man has come also the resurrection of the dead. 22 For as in Adam
all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive. 23 But each in
his own order: Christ the first fruits, then at his coming those
who belong to Christ. 24 Then comes the end, when he delivers the
kingdom to God the Father after destroying every rule and every
authority and power. 25 For he must reign until he has put all his
enemies under his feet. 26 The last enemy to be destroyed is
death. 27 "For God has put all things in subjection under his
feet." But when it says, "All things are put in subjection under
him," it is plain that he is excepted who put all things
under him.
Meditation: How strong is your hope in the promises of
God? Mary is a model of faith and hope for us. And she is among
"the first-fruits" of "all those who belong to Jesus" and who
share in his triumph (1 Corinthians15:20-24). There is a venerable
tradition dating back to the early church which marks Mary's
"falling asleep" (called the Feast of Dormition in many Eastern
churches) and her heavenly birthday when she was received into
heaven. Her reception into heaven is seen as a sign to all
believing Christians of the promise Jesus made that we too would
be received into paradise. At the last supper Jesus told his
disciples that he would prepare a place for them in his Father's
house. "And when I go to prepare a place for you, I will come
again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be
also" (John 14:3).
The Holy Spirit makes faith come alive
within us
What enabled Mary to grow in faith and to persevere in hope in the
face of obstacles and trials? The Gospel of Luke reveals the
presence and power of the Holy Spirit in Mary's life. When
Elizabeth and Mary greeted one another they were filled with the
Holy Spirit and with a joyful anticipation of the fulfillment of
God's promise to give a Savior. John the Baptist, even before the
birth of the Messiah, pointed to his coming and leapt for joy in
the womb of his mother as the Holy Spirit revealed to him the
presence of the Anointed King in the womb of Mary.
Those who are humble and hungry for God receive his Spirit
The Holy Spirit is God's gift to us to enable us to know and
experience the indwelling presence of God and the power of his
kingdom. The Holy Spirit is the way in which God reigns within
each of us. Mary accepted her mission with uncompromising faith
and obedience. She acted with unwavering trust and faith because
she believed that God would fulfill the word he had spoken. Her
great hymn of praise echoes the song of Hannah (see 1 Samuel
2:1-10) and proclaims the favor of the Lord: God exalts the
lowly and he fills the hungry.
The Holy Spirit fills us with the joy and hope of heaven
The Holy Spirit is ever ready to renew your faith and hope in
God's promises and to make you strong in love for God and your
neighbor. Do you live in the joy and confidence of God's
indwelling presence with you through his Holy Spirit?
"Lord Jesus, fill me with your Holy Spirit and give me joy in seeking you more closely. Increase my faith in all your promises, my hope in the joys of heaven, and my love for You as my All."
Psalm 45:9b-15
9b at your right hand stands the queen in gold of Ophir.
10 Hear, O daughter, consider, and incline your ear; forget your
people and your father's house;
11 and the king will desire your beauty. Since he is your lord,
bow to him;
12 the people of Tyre will sue your favor with gifts, the richest
of the people
13 with all kinds of wealth. The princess is decked in her chamber
with gold-woven robes;
14 in many-colored robes she is led to the king, with her virgin
companions, her escort, in her train.
15 With joy and gladness they are led along as they enter the
palace of the king.
Daily Quote from the early church fathers: Christ the
fruit of the faithful, by Ambrose of Milan (339-397
A.D)
"You see that Mary did not doubt but believed and therefore
obtained the fruit of faith. 'Blessed … are you who have
believed.' But you also are blessed who have heard and believed.
For a soul that has believed has both conceived and bears the Word
of God and declares his works. Let the soul of Mary be in each of
you, so that it magnifies the Lord. Let the spirit of Mary be in
each of you, so that it rejoices in God (Luke 1:46-47). She is the
one mother of Christ according to the flesh, yet Christ is the
Fruit of all according to faith. Every soul receives the Word of
God, provided that, undefiled and unstained by vices, it guards
its purity with inviolate modesty. (excerpt from EXPOSITION
OF THE GOSPEL OF LUKE 2.26)
Scripture quotations from Common Bible:
Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright
1973, and Ignatius Edition of the Revised Standard
Version of the Bible, copyright 2006, by the
Division of Christian Education of the National
Council of the Churches of Christ in the United
States of America. Used by permission. All rights
reserved. Citation references for quotes from
the writings of the early church fathers can be
found here.
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