MARY SET OUT IN HASTE

PRAYER PAUSE

Thursday 31 May 2018, The Visit of Mary to Elizabeth

MARY SET OUT IN HASTE

Enter into the stillness of God within.

Reading:  “Mary set out in haste to a town in the hill country of Judea.  She went into Zechariah’s house and greeted Elizabeth.” (Luke 1:39-56)

Reflection. Why all the hurry? The gospel is full of unrgency. Mark chapter 1 constantly repeats “at once” or “immediuately.”  There is no time to waste: God has visted his people – as we read in the story of the widow of Nain. We rush about quite a bit.  It would be good if our rushing was informed by the spirit of Jesus which Mary caught.  We also notice Elizabeth’s greeting; “Blessed is she who believed.” It will be repeated in the story of Thomas in John: “Blessed are those who have not seen but believed.” And finally there is the joy: The joy of Mary in her Magnificat and the joy of the disciples at the end of Luke’s gospel when they return to Jerusalem after the Ascension.

Prayer. Lord, as we celebrate the visit of Mary to Elizabeth strengthen us to believe the promise you make to us and fill us with same joy the women shared.  Amen