1/12/2023 0 Comments Mary visits elizabethWe are called to support and wait in the hope for God to fulfill his promises. It’s an invitation to remain open to God’s ways in the world, sometimes contrary to the social expectation, even overturning the unhealthy structures that shame others. It was a display of the same inclusive love as Jesus, welcoming prostitutes and sinners. But Mary’s pregnancy brought great joy and honor for Elizabeth. Even welcoming Mary into her home is a pattern of social reversal, as Elizabeth’s neighbors are expected to reject her for sheltering an unmarried pregnant woman. By treating Mary with honor, she overturns the social expectations. So elderly infertile wife would endure social scorn for life. In the ancient world, a woman’s primary purpose in life was to bear children. But Elizabeth knows the cost of being shamed and excluded for being barren. Older women would judge, shame, and even ostracize unmarried pregnant women like Mary. Why was Elizabeth a better person to understand Mary’s situation? Elizabeth celebrates Mary’s willingness to say yes to God. Zechariah, a religious professional, doubted, while Mary, a peasant girl, believed and trusted God. Zechariah asked the Angel for proof, Mary asked for an explanation of what was going to happen. What’s the background of Elizabeth praising Mary?Įlizabeth contrasts Mary’s trust in God’s power and promises with her husband Zachariah’s skeptical questioning. Blessing is based on a right relationship with God. She believed that God could do what God promised to do. We can translate Elizabeth’s words as “Blessed is she who believed.” Mary is blessed despite all expectations her social status is reversed. The word used here is the same as what Jesus used to bless people in the beatitudes. Mary is blessed because she believed there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her by the Lord. Therefore, the present and the future generation will call Mary blessed, speaking well of her and her child. Mary is blessed because of what is there in her womb – referring to Jesus. Is Mary blessed among women because of her status as the Mother of the Lord? Yes. In addition, Mary is an unmarried pregnant girl who visits Elizabeth perhaps to reduce her visibility of a shameful pregnancy – but the Gospel does not talk about this. Mary is young, so she is the one the more senior people would expect deference. In the cultural context, an older woman would receive the honor. Why would Elizabeth express honor at Mary’s Visit? Think about it, given the age difference between Mary and Elizabeth it appears Elizabeth is a generation older, perhaps Mary’s aunt. But the scripture is not giving us details of relationship status. We usually think John is Jesus’ cousin based on Luke 1:36. Luke identifies Elizabeth as Mary’s relative. But it can also be a sign of respect shown by a younger woman to her elder. Or did she travel to her relative to take shelter from the society that would ostracize her?īut the scripture states that Mary visited the home of Zechariah and Elizabeth – perhaps because Elizabeth’s pregnancy proceeded Mary’s by six months – and again, perhaps Mary would help the newborn. Such a girl would better hide indoors rather than take a journey to another town. A young unmarried girl found pregnant would be a cause of social shame. But there are implications for her response in a patriarchal society. What was the hurry? Mary said yes to the announcement of the Angel to be the Mother of the Lord. The Gospel speaks about Mary going to visit Elizabeth in haste. The spotlight is on Mary and Elizabeth, two lowly and shamed women God has chosen to transform the world. It shows God is at work overthrowing structures and expectations. The conversation reveals Jesus is greater than John. There is an intimate conversation between Mary and Elizabeth. Mary visits after learning about the pregnancy of Elizabeth from the Angel. Is Mary running away to take shelter? Rather than helping? Is Elizabeth Mary’s cousin? How does Mary Come to Know Elizabeth’s pregnancy? There are many things that we tend to skip as we recall Mary’s visit to Elizabeth. But what did you Miss Out? (Luke 1:39-56). You have heard the narrative about Mary’s Visit to Elizabeth.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |