Breaking the Word

During those days Mary set out and travelled to the hill country in haste to a town of Judah, where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the infant leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth, filled with the holy Spirit, cried out in a loud voice and said, "Most blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. And how does this happen to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For at the moment the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the infant in my womb leaped for joy. Blessed are you who believed that what was spoken to you by the Lord would be fulfilled."  (Lk 1:39-45)

Mary received the good news that God had chosen her to be the mother of Jesus and as a proof of her motherhood; God gave the news that Elizabeth, her cousin, was also becoming a mother. Mary rushed to see her cousin to rejoice with her and also to be of service to her. Mary could not share this good news anyone else because no one would accept it.

Elizabeth would accept Mary and also rejoice with her, because she was also in the same situation. This was the reason that as soon as she saw Mary she cried out in a loud voice:  "Most blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb…”. Only Elizabeth could understand the situation and accept the situation. All the others need further proofs and explanations (including Joseph).

Exchange of greeting among two mothers was also exchange of greetings between the presences of the spirit. They realized the presence of the Holy Spirit. The children within their womb also exchanged their greetings (the infant in my womb leaped for joy). Then there was an open declaration that all those who accept and believe this would be blessed.

In the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a town of Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph, of the house of David, and the virgin's name was Mary.  And coming to her, he said, "Hail, favored one! The Lord is with you."  But she was greatly troubled at what was said and pondered what sort of greeting this might be… Mary said, "Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word." Then the angel departed from her. (Lk 1:26-38)

Mary was a virgin when the angel Gabriel appeared to her but she was betrothed to Joseph of the house of David. She was greatly troubled at the words of the angel. The angel had only greeted her. Mary was only troubled at what this greeting might bring to her in her life. Greetings always bring with it something. It could be something good and helpful or it could also bring some message of trouble etc. It was natural that Mary was troubled at the greetings.

When the message was communicated then Mary wondered about how this could happen. Mary’s reaction was true and just because it was humanly impossible. Mary was the only person, if at all any, who could question this situation. Mary’s question was not just to give the reason for the impossibility but the demand for the reason for the divine intervention and the divine purpose for such an intervention.

When the divine purpose and the divine intention were made clear and understandable Mary could not but accept it. It was for this purpose the people of Israel where waiting for years and the expectations could be fulfilled at anytime and the present time was very apt for it. As a creature of God, Mary gives her fiat to God. As creatures, we have to accept and collaborate with the plan of God and Mary is a perfect model for that.