Tuesday, December 15, 2009

Today’s text

Luke 1:39-42

Mary set out at that time and went as quickly as she could into the hill country to a town in Judah. She went into Zechariah's house and greeted Elizabeth. Now it happened that as soon as Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the child leapt in her womb and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. She gave a loud cry and said, 'Of all women you are the most blessed, and blessed is the fruit of your womb.’

Reflection

I know why Elizabeth was filled with joy. It is because you, My Lord, filled Mary. Elizabeth’s heart jumps, to say nothing of the child she carried within her, at the presence of the Presence for which we all long.

Your Presence brings joy even amid gray December when the Western world is alight with happy twinkling that somehow fails to shed the joy for which the heart hungers.

I long for the joy that came so naturally to Elizabeth at Mary’s approach. A great flood of tears and laughter, joy and fulfillment is unleashed in her. She feels your nearness, and that alone--that only--propelled her soul to the heights of human fulfillment.

That’s the way it is in every age. Joy is in your presence. Completion comes as we feel your nearness, as we know you are here for us and always will be.

My fingers try to write my soul into this awareness as I imagine the scene. Elizabeth steps outside her house, her face alight. Her arms quickly open to enfold dearest Mary in love’s embrace, only to find that it is she, herself, who is embraced in ways she can never really understand.

Her life is enfolded into the life of the God who is love. Love’s Presence unleashes in her that flood of joy that is your joy to release in human souls.

So come to us, Lord Jesus. Free our souls from December grayness with the joy that runs like an unfettered river, surging and free, flowing from depths we did not know we possessed.

Let our laughter echo deep from lungs released from bonds of sadness. We, too, want to enfold you in our arms and know exactly what Elizabeth knew. Then we shall be whole.

Pr. David L. Miller