Luke 1:39-45 NRSVue

³⁹In those days Mary set out and went with haste to a Judean town in the hill country, ⁴⁰where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. ⁴¹When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the child leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit ⁴²and exclaimed with a loud cry, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. ⁴³And why has this happened to me, that the mother of my Lord comes to me? ⁴⁴For as soon as I heard the sound of your greeting, the child in my womb leaped for joy. ⁴⁵And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her by the Lord.”

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Some thoughts on this scripture

Reflection
The Spirit of God in Elizabeth rejoiced in the presence of Mary. I pray for those who have been friends to me, for all whose companionship or example lifts my heart.

Reflection
An expectant mother, Mary set out on her journey. She carried the Word within her. I draw inspiration from this scene and see in it a reminder of who I am this day: I carry the word of God in me as nourishment for me and for those around me.  

Reflection
It is good to spend time gazing at this scene. Two women meet, both of them specially blessed and both called to cooperate in the unexpected designs of God.

Reflection
Elizabeth is given the special grace of an intimate insight and appreciation of what is happening and who is really present.

Reflection
In life do I always appreciate what is happening and who is really present?

Reflection
Let me be a spectator at this lovely encounter of cousins, the second joyful mystery: the Visitation. I will contemplate it as Mary and Elizabeth must have done later, savouring the joy of mutual recognition, and of a shared experience of pregnancy.