The greatest characteristic of being wholly attuned to God’s will, besides being able to respond promptly and positively to His call, is to take immediate action accordingly.
According to the Gospel of Luke, after Mary accepted God’s invitation to become the mother of Jesus, the angel left her. Upon learning from the angel Gabriel that her elderly relative, Elizabeth, had conceived a son, Mary set out in haste to the hill country to visit Elizabeth in those days (cf. Luke 1:39-56). This action of Mary was quite unusual because her primary concern should have been the difficult situation she herself was facing, rather than the needs of others.
Mary’s action reflects that she has an extraordinary power, which stemmed from a supernatural peace and faith. Her faith was rooted in the firm belief that God is faithful and would surely help her face and overcome the challenges ahead, and arrange everything for her.
Therefore, Our Lady was full of confidence and completely trusted in the plans that the Holy Spirit had for her. Because of this deep trust, Mary could feel at ease to accompany and assist Elizabeth for three months before returning home.
From this, we can see that Mary truly believed in what the angel Gabriel had told her: “For nothing will be impossible with God.” (Luke 1:37) She also firmly believed that the Heavenly Father would keep His promises and would not let her bear the responsibility of being the mother of Jesus, the Son of God, all by herself.
This extraordinary freedom enabled Mary not only to calmly accept God’s astonishing invitation but also to joyfully follow the guidance of the Holy Spirit to visit and serve her relative, Elizabeth.
Elizabeth was deeply moved by Mary’s visit. Filled with the Holy Spirit, she exclaimed in a loud cry:
“Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. And why has this happened to me, that the mother of my Lord comes to me? For as soon as I heard the sound of your greeting, the child in my womb leaped for joy.” (Luke 1:42-44)
Without the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, Elizabeth would not have known that Mary was pregnant, let alone that the child she was carrying was the Son of God! Through Elizabeth, the Holy Spirit not only affirmed that Mary’s acceptance of God’s invitation to be the mother of Jesus was a blessing, but also praised Mary for her unwavering faith in God.
Thus, Elizabeth concluded with these words: “Blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her by the Lord!” (Luke 1:45)
In this encounter between Mary and Elizabeth, we witnessed how Mary’s communion with God freed her from fear and prompted her to act immediately in response to the Holy Spirit’s prompting to visit Elizabeth.
We also see how God continued to accompany and encourage Mary through Elizabeth after the angel had left her.
The intimate relationship between Mary and God is once again fully revealed in her interaction with Elizabeth.
Reflection
Do you have the inner freedom of Our Lady to respond to God’s call and take action promptly?
Please reflect on your relationship with God. Do you have the same faith in the Heavenly Father as Mary did? Do you trust in the work of the Holy Spirit in your life?
Do you have faith that what God has spoken to you will be fulfilled? Now, I invite you to share your feelings and expectations with God in prayer.
Today’s Prayer
Dear Abba Father, as I meditate on the intimate relationship between You and Mother Mary, I am not only moved but also deeply yearn to experience the same closeness with You. I firmly believe that You desire this relationship with me even more than I do.
In the past, I did not dare to hope that I could be so close to You. But today’s reflection has given me confidence because I realize that Your trust in me is not based on my merits or abilities but because of Your unconditional love and trust in me.
I now call upon the Holy Spirit to come into my heart, to teach me to pray and to confidently call You “Abba Father”, and to strengthen my faith, so that I will have an unshakable belief that all You have spoken and promised to me will come true!
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Writer: Paul Yeung
Project Manager: Michael Lam, Rosa Tse
Editors: Bonny Chan, Rosa Tse
English Editors: Bonny Chan, Paul Yeung
Mandarin Editor: Anthony X.
Cantonese Narrator: Margaret Woo
English Narrator: J. Johnson
Mandarin Narrator: C. Zhou
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