As you begin your time in prayer, settle in. Get in a comfortable yet attentive position. Acknowledge that you are in the presence of the Lord.
Offer this time to Him. Offer yourself to Him. Offer your imagination to Him.
Ask God to grant you what you need for today. Ask Him to show you clearly and to help you receive it openly.
Read and pray with Luke 1: 39-45.
In this reflection, Robin points out to us that Elizabeth is the representation of “the other” in our lives. The very first thing that Mary did after agreeing to become the mother of God is bring the love of Christ directly to Elizabeth, not to preach to her, but to love her.
She uses an excerpt from M. Basil Pennington’s book Mary Today to highlight this.
“There is nothing in the graces of Mary that is meant to be foreign to us. What
God did for her He wants to do for each one of us. He wants us to be fully integral and
alive. (Emphasis is mine.) He wants to form his Son in us. He wants us to bring him to others for their joy and ours. He wants us to intercede effectively with unwavering faith, caring for the needs of others.”
Find time this season to kneel before the manger and the New Life that abides there. Ask the Lord where He most needs this new life that now abides in the cradle of your heart. Ask Him to show you “who are the poor?”.
I then start to wonder how Elizabeth fits into the concept of “the poor.” We don’t know what Elizabeth’s and Zechariah’s financial status was. I don’t think that matters. I then start to wonder if they are spiritually poor, but remember they are very devout and holy people. That’s when I realize they are possibly in need of healing. They have longed for a child of their own for decades. Not having a child is probably a deep personal wound for them as well as a social one. That longing desire left an ache in their hearts that only God could soothe. God repaid their devotion to Him with abundance (as He often does!) by not only giving them the desire of their hearts, but also the ability to know Christ personally!!
When I look at the image of Carl Bloch’s The Meeting of Mary and Elizabeth, I see the gratitude in Elizabeth’s face at Mary’s coming to her. She as the elder and wiser woman, is fully aware of who Mary is and who she brings with her in her womb. Mary brought herself, yes, but she also brought with her the Great Physician, the healer of Elizabeth’s heart. It is not until then that I see the joy in Mary’s face, and I can only assume that it is because she is not only gladdened that she gets to bring the awaited Messiah to her cousin and perform acts of service for Elizabeth, but she also gets to witness the healing that takes place. Is this service to others, this bringing of Christ to all, what made Mary come alive internally?
This idea is getting me to think on times in my life when I have been both Elizabeth and Mary - those times when I was able to receive Christ and allow Him to soothe my soul because of the service of another and the times I felt so much deep joy because I was able to serve and be the hands of feet of Jesus.
When I look at Jerry's Leleux's image of the praying Mary, I am reminded to bring this up in prayer. Lord, help me to receive you when I need healing and to serve you by serving others. Show me "the poor" so I may serve them as You have served me. That is where I will find true joy.
This week we are also asked to consider:
Make a list of those in your family, community, and beyond that need your
intercessory prayers. Place the list where you will notice it every day or by your place of prayer.
Is there a deed or area of volunteerism that the Lord has placed on your heart to
which you might commit to in the new year?
May you be filled with His Love and His Light!
Leah
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