HELLO!

This Sunday we turn to Mary for Good News. As soon as Mary says "yes" to Gabriel's astonishing request, she goes "in haste" to see Elizabeth. She doesn't isolate herself. She doesn't keep God's revelation a secret. She doesn't play Lone Ranger and attempt to go it alone. Instead, she seeks out a fellow-traveler. Although Luke doesn't elaborate on Mary's reasons for visiting Elizabeth, it's easy to imagine why someone with a story as crazy-sounding as hers might make such an urgent journey. Tradition tells us that Mary is only thirteen or fourteen years old when the angel Gabriel appears to her. In her cultural and religious context, her pregnancy is a scandal. At best, it renders her an object of scornful gossip. At worst, it places her at risk of death by stoning. She needs safety, affirmation, empathy, and companionship. She needs someone to recognize, nurture, deepen, and celebrate the work of God in her life.

Is there a better job description for the Church? A better prototype for Christian community? What would it be like if we sought each other out with the trust and openness of Mary? What would it be like if we (like Elizabeth) received with tenderness the vulnerable people who dare to come to us, seeking refuge and nurture? Luke describes the early church, people like Mary and Elizabeth — the young and the old, the unmarried and the married, the socially established and the socially vulnerable. A community like ours. As Henri Nouwen describes it, "God's most radical intervention into history was listened to and received in community." What a gorgeous and challenging example for us to live up to.

Into this maelstrom of questions comes an outpouring of blessing: "Blessed are you among women," Elizabeth tells Mary, "and blessed is the fruit of your womb." "Blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her by the Lord." Elizabeth makes the connection between trust and blessing. Mary’s blessing lies solely in her willingness to trust God and to surrender to God's will. To lean hard into God's promises and believe that they will sustain her, no matter what.

We don't live in a time or culture that encourages us to bless one another. What would it be like to recover Elizabeth's vocation of blessing? How would our churches change if we made a point of discerning, naming, and blessing the divine gifts we see in each other? Once Mary receives both community and blessing, she finds her prophetic voice. At the end of our Gospel reading, she bursts into song. A song to live by. Our song too.

Peace, Kevin