Reflection from Kevin BowmanLuke 1:39-4939 At that time Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea, 40 where she entered Zechariah’s home and greeted Elizabeth. 41 When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. 42 In a loud voice she exclaimed: “Blessed are you among women and blessed is the child you will bear! 43 But why am I so favoured, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? 44 As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. 45 Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfil his promises to her!”Mary’s Song46 And Mary said:“My soul glorifies the Lord 47 and my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour, 48 for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed, 49 for the Mighty One has done great things for me— holy is his name. (NIV)ReflectionWhat strikes me about this reading is the joy that Mary has after being chosen by God to be the vessel that will deliver Jesus Christ. Her statement to Elizabeth is one of glorifying God, but also the acknowledgement that she will be known forever as a blessed person, and that her selection will have “done great things for me”. We know Mary was humble, but this doesn’t strike me as a particularly humble statement. Perhaps, what she is really saying, is that God has done something amazing and in acknowledging this publicly, she is able to better glorify God. The fact you are reading this reflection suggests you have also had amazing things done for you by God via the Holy Spirit. I wonder how often you acknowledge this publicly and use it to glorify God. I am certain this is something I could do better, as there is no doubt God has done amazing things for me; in answering prayers, being there when I needed to let things go, and providing me with a calling I would never have guessed I would follow even 10 years ago. I have been more forthcoming in recent months, and guess what, it isn’t that difficult and becomes easier each time. So, next time you are in conversation with someone, particularly from outside the church congregations we belong to, don’t be afraid to speak up. God will appreciate your praise, and the recipient of your story may thank you many times over in future years. The Collect: Mighty God, by whose grace Elizabeth rejoiced with Mary and greeted her as the mother of the Lord: look with favour on your lowly servants that, with Mary, we may magnify your holy name and rejoice to acclaim her Son our Saviour, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. Common Worship: Services and Prayers for the Church of England (2000) (including the Psalter as published with Common Worship), material from which is included here, is copyright ©The Archbishops' Council 2000
