A By-the-way
Blessing
Scripture:
Luke 1:39-57
My soul doth magnify the Lord
My heart rejoices forevermore
For God has chosen me to sing
A mother’s song to heaven’s
king.
Just think, Nazareth around
1CE, a young 13 year old carrying God inside her, skipping –likely bare footed
– through the dusty alleys of Galilee probably filled with a mixture of awe and
doubt and excitement. But she had to go and encourage Cousin Liza. Her cousin
Liza had waited long for her good news, never mind that she also had great news
of her own to share. This visit was all about Elizabeth.
So how come the story
following their encounter focuses on Mary? She went to give a shout out to her
cousin and received a blessing. This is the kind that comes by the way of
looking out for another. This is the blessing that accrues to us by the way of
putting another first. Scripture says it is more blessed to give than to
receive; and the interchange between Elizabeth and Mary gives ample proof of
that expression. Here is a mutuality of giving and receiving that comes from
familial affection and mutual interdependence. Elizabeth is blessed by Mary’s
visit and Mary’s faith is shored up by the words of Elizabeth.
If there is one lesson to
learn from this encounter, it is that you should not allow attention to your
own burden blind your view of your sister. Perhaps it is in attending to others
that make you blessed among all women.
Hail to you this day!
Prayer: Dear Father, you have given so much and
yet you remain the More. Help me remember that it is indeed more blessed to
give than to receive. Amen.
Dr. Esther Acolatse
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