The Annunciation • Monday, March 25, 2019
Old Testament: Isaiah 7: 10-14
Psalm 45 or 40: 5-10 or Canticle 3 or 15
Epistle: Hebrews 10: 4-10
Gospel: Luke 1: 26-38
“‘And now, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son; and this is the sixth month for her who was said to be barren. For nothing will be impossible with God.’ Then Mary said, ‘Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word.’” Luke 1: 36-37
When I have previously read this Gospel story of a faithful Mary who said “yes,” and became God-bearer, my focus has been on Mary. And why not: it’s quite the story; hers is quite the faith. This time, however I could not help but notice the role that Mary’s learning of Elizabeth’s miracle (conceiving when she was old and barren) played in giving Mary the courage to say “yes.” It seems that the coup de grace for Mary in accepting her awesome fate was having an example to follow. Elizabeth had to have demonstrated for her that nothing is impossible with God.
Who are my Elizabeths? Who in my life has shown me God’s capacity to transform, inspiring me to take bold risks for the sake of love and reconciliation? Too many to name, for sure, but a tidy trinity of women leap to mind: Sherrie Abney, founder of civil collaborative law — a role model, a life giver, and one who stepped away from traditional law practice to demonstrate a more peaceful way forward in conflict resolution. Martha Jane Patton — lifelong advocate for “the least of these” and inspiring example of how to live one’s entire life with integrity and to dedicate one’s professional life to service of the higher good. Corinne Walker Mullins — my maternal grandmother, who sacrificed her meager resources to produce an abundance of love and wisdom which would sustain her children, grandchildren, and everyone in need who God put in her path.
By grace, Holy Spirit, let me be Elizabeth for some fruitful Mary!
Melanie Atha
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