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?…
Mary said: "My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord; my spirit rejoices in God my saviour…
Mary remained with her about three months and then returned to her home.(Lk1:39-56)
Two 'mothers-to-be' celebrate. A beautiful scene created by Luke. The babes in the wombs recognize each other (!!!) and they too rejoice. What would have been the reason for such a joy and celebration? Could it be a celebration for life? Mothers coming together were certainly to greet each other about their motherhood. There is joy in being a mother and there is joy in bring forth life and the celebration is even before birth.
It is a celebration about God and his activities. Yes every celebration should centre on God. Everything that happens is the work of God and in fact everything that happens is a miracle of God. Certainly the births of John and Jesus were miracles of God. God is the source of celebration and God is the reason for celebration and God actions are for celebration and God’s presence is the celebration.
Song of Mary echoes the celebration very well. God’s long promised revolution is taking place in their times. Victory over the powers of evil is taking place. It is giving hope to the hopeless (Elizabeth). Power-brokers, money-makers etc are toppled. It is a celebration of God. God has taken the initiative and God is the ultimate reason to celebrate.
