Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

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 Visit of Mary to Elizabeth- Sharing the Good News

 Genesis 18: 1-15

 “Where is your wife Sarah?” they asked him. “There, in the tent,” he said.  Then one of them said, “I will surely return to you about this time next year, and Sarah your wife will have a son.
. vs 9-10

  “Mom, Dad, I got in!” Those are the words every person wants to tell their loved ones as they get the news of their acceptance into college, university, or a professional program. Even hearing those words from them brings such elation. Now imagine receiving the news that the Lord and Savior wants to make His dwelling with us. The account of the visitation to Elizabeth by the Virgin Mary is a well-known story that could easily be described as one of the best-loved stories in the Bible. If for nothing at all, we are reminded of this event practically every time we recite the Magnificat, the same song Mary sang when she visited her cousin. Elizabeth and Zachariah, in their advanced age, are blessed with the news that they are going to have a child. From todays reading, this is exactly the situation to how Sarah received the news of her son from the three men that visited her and Abraham in Genesis. 

     Around the same time, Mary is visited by the angel Gabriel, announcing the news that she will be with child. We could imagine that Elizabeth would have been overjoyed, since she has prayed earnestly for years to be blessed with a child. Mary however, knowing she was with child out of wedlock will put her in public shame and even persecution. But it is when Mary and Elizabeth met each other and when Elizabeth exclaimed filled with the holy spirit, “Blessed are you among women and blessed is the fruit of your womb” that Mary would be elated with the news of their greatest blessing. In fact, Mary, responds to this word of prophecy in her song saying: “All generations will call me blessed”. The women praise the Lord for the great works He has done for them. Elizabeth calls Mary blessed because she whole heartedly trusted God’s promise. Mary in return sings a song of trust and praise. Both women were aware of the uncertainties and hardships of the world into which they were bringing their children, but that reality did not diminish their ultimate joy. 
Sometimes new students, face a psychological phenomenon called Imposter Syndrome. It is the feeling when we are in a situation where we are very qualified to be in but have thoughts of uncertainty and internalized fear of being exposed as a fraud. Suddenly the joy we felt when we first received the news of our acceptance turns into doubt and disbelief. Mary and Elizabeth knew that their situation was not ideal, but the Lord would not give us any task if we were not capable of it. We should learn from these women and how they embraced the joy of the news and moved forward knowing that believing and trusting in the Lord would be enough for them. 

Prayer
Lord, we pray that in any situation that we find the joy, trust in You, and move forward knowing that You will never leave us nor forsake us. 

Thought of the Day
Joy is lasting, and it satisfies the heart in a unique and marvelous way. Joy is characteristic of God's people, found in His presence.

Oshin Mathew
                Carmel MTC Boston

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