Deeper Reflection
Young Mary, carrying in her womb the baby Jesus, made a very special, pre-natal trip to visit her elderly relative, Elizabeth, who was pregnant with her son John. Both Elizabeth and the baby in her womb felt greatly blessed and were filled with joy at the visit of Mary and the Lord Jesus. The presence of the divine child was clearly sensed, and baby John leaped for joy even while in his mother’s womb. The Holy Spirit enabled Elizabeth and baby John to immediately recognise Mary and baby Jesus – one the mother of the Lord and the other the Lord Himself. Elizabeth proceeded to pronounce a blessing on Mary as one who believed in God’s promises to her. Elizabeth blessed Mary not because of Mary’s social status or religious stature (indeed she had none!). Mary was blessed because she believed God’s word and that God would surely fulfil what He had promised her.Our God is a faithful, covenant-making and promise-keeping God. He will certainly bring all that He has promised to fulfilment. When we believe God and move forward in anticipation of the fulfilment of His promises to us, we delight God’s heart and are blessed by Him!