the baby leapt in her womb. Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit, and, giving a loud cry,
said, “You are most blessed among women; and blessed is the fruit of your womb! How is it
that the mother of my Lord comes to me? The moment your greeting sounded in my ears,
the baby within me suddenly leapt for joy. Blessed are you, who believed that the Lord’s
word would come true!”
Reflect
We might be separated from those we love for several reasons: jobs or studies that take
us to different cities, military deployment, and estrangements caused by arguments or
past hurts. As difficult as these separations are, the reunions at their conclusion are filled
with joy, obscuring the pain and difficulty of the time apart. In some cases, the time apart
can even strengthen the relationship by reminding us of the depth of our love for each
other.
The readings today proclaim the joy of coming together with those we love. In the Song
of Songs, the lovers’ reunion is compared to the coming of spring which brings new life.
Elizabeth greets Mary with great joy, not because her kinswoman has come to help her
in the last days of her pregnancy, but because Mary is carrying Elizabeth’s Lord. Are we
as excited to meet our Lord? Do we treat each Mass we attend, each visit for adoration,
and every moment of prayer as an opportunity to meet the one we love? In these last
days of Advent, may we prepare our hearts to meet the Lord.
© Copyright Bible Diary 2023