Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

-

 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

Popular posts from this blog

Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

-
  Constant, patient and welcoming love of God   St. Luke 15: 11-32  V.21: And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight, and am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ The parable of the ‘Prodigal son’ is one of the most frequently quoted parables that Jesus told His disciples. The parable contains the rich mine of human virtues and emotions. This parable is lived and re-lived in progressing civilizations from time immemorial and continuing. It brings out in vivid detail the pathetic depth of human sinfulness and the glorious heights of God’s forgiveness.      As a story of human nature, fathers are generally merciful to their children in any circumstance. They are very protective and are eager to provide for and secure the lives of their offspring. Jesus is telling this parable to underscore the superlative love of God to His children. The nature of such love is reiterated by Jesus in Matthew 7:11. Humankind wh...
Read more

Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

-
Revelation for Liberation Acts 27:18-26 Sherine Thomas Long Island MTC, NY 20  When neither sun nor stars appeared for many days, and no small tempest raged, all hope of our being saved was at last abandoned. “After winter comes the summer.  After night comes the dawn.  And after every storm, there comes clear open skies” so said a Scottish clergyman from the 1600s. It’s been said, that hope can sometimes be the most dangerous weapon.  However, it’s sometimes the hardest weapon to carry when you’re living with the loss of a loved one, something that almost feels like a terrible nightmare that’ll never go away.  It’s a weapon difficult to carry when day in and day out no one seems to hear or see those tears that are shed or silent cries that are made during a heartfelt prayer. It’s a weapon difficult to carry as you see your loved one lying on that hospital bed.  It’s a weapon difficult to carry as you search and seek out answers to tel...
Read more

Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

-
PRIESTHOOD: THE ANOINTED MINISTRY Exodus 40:12-16 Bring Aaron and his sons to the entrance to the Tent of Meeting... wash them with water. Then dress Aaron in the sacred garments, anoint him and consecrate him so he may serve me as priest (Exodus 40: 12-13). Priesthood among the people of God was a divine command and initiation. God wanted some people to be separated for the special ministry among his people. God appointed Aaron and his descendants to take up this kind of ministry among the people of God. Priests are always separated and appointed as channels that connect God with his people. All throughout the history of Israel, priests played an important role in connecting people with God and to lead and guide them in the statutes of God. But there are incidents in the Bible where the priests failed in their duties and that led the people to go away from God. So the priests have a special and significant ministry to perform in this world among his people. Two important things...
Read more