I.
This week we spend time with Elizabeth and Mary. In this passage of Scripture, both Elizabeth and Mary have already heard they will give birth to children who will serve very unique roles in the coming Kingdom of God. We should add the two women have very unique roles in not only bringing these two into this world but in parenting them.

Today take time to read this account and notice what you might learn of each woman’s spirit.

II.
Luke 1:36-45, 56 (NRSVue)

“And now, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son, and this is the sixth month for her who was said to be barren. For nothing will be impossible with God.” Then Mary said, “Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word.” Then the angel departed from her.

In those days Mary set out and went with haste to a Judean town in the hill country, where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the child leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit and exclaimed with a loud cry, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. And why has this happened to me, that the mother of my Lord comes to me? For as soon as I heard the sound of your greeting, the child in my womb leaped for joy. And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her by the Lord.”

And Mary remained with her about three months and then returned to her home.

III.
What stands you to you in the words of Mary?

Likewise, what stands out to you in the words of Elizabeth?

What of these women’s words and spirit might you incorporate into your daily life and prayers this week?

charles
{ubi caritas et amor, Deus ibi est}