Breaking the Word

And Mary said: "My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord; my spirit rejoices in God my savior.  For he has looked upon his handmaid's lowliness; behold, from now on will all ages call me blessed. The Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is his name. His mercy is from age to age to those who fear him.  He has shown might with his arm, dispersed the arrogant of mind and heart. He has thrown down the rulers from their thrones but lifted up the lowly. The hungry he has filled with good things; the rich he has sent away empty. He has helped Israel his servant, remembering his mercy, according to his promise to our fathers, to Abraham and to his descendants forever." Mary remained with her about three months and then returned to her home.   (Lk 1:46-56)

Mary proclaims and rejoices. Proclamation comes because she has experienced something in her life. Early Christians (Peter, Paul and other disciples) proclaimed the good news because they experienced the risen lord. Rejoicing takes place because of satisfaction in the experience. Experience has been positive so there is rejoicing.

Mary proclaimed and rejoiced because her experience of God had been positive and good. She recognized God as a saviour, as a redeemer, She acknowledged the geat things done by God for her. God had preferred her and blessed her. By doing this he also had thrown down the wicked and punished them.

Mary’s proclamation and rejoicing were expressed in her assistance to her cousin Elizabeth. She remained with her for three months and assisted her. Anyone who received God’s favour not only proclaimed and rejoiced but also shared it with the others.  

During those days Mary set out and traveled 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)

The first activity of Mary, after receiving the good news about the birth of Jesus, was to visit her cousin Elizabeth. The news about Elizabeth also was given by the angel. Mary did not go to verify the news that she received from the angel but she went to be of assistance to Elizabeth. She did not need any more verification rather she needed time, only to execute God’s wish.

The meeting of Mary and Elizabeth was accompanied by exchange of greetings. The greetings referred to action of God in their lives. The greetings of the women were doubled by the greetings of the children in their wombs. Whatever the mothers do is reflected in the children.

Belief in the fulfilment of God’s word is important. It is this belief that makes a person blessed. Belief in God; belief in his word; and belief in the fulfilment of God word is seen in the life of the person who is blessed by God. Activities are only the outcome of this belief. Belief in God and his word become the foundation of man’s action.