November 23, 2021
Tuesday’s Thoughts on Scripture is from the Gospel of Luke, the first chapter, verses 39 and 40: In those days Mary set out and went with haste to a Judean town in the hill country, where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. (NRSV)
Two women greet one another. We can assume they knew each other before this visit, but things are now different. Both women have been called into service to the Lord - anointed, holy, set apart for very special events. They will both give birth to a son - Elizabeth to John, Mary to Jesus. Both their sons would have lives that were troubled, yet filled with majesty. Both men would have followers, be teachers and prophets, and themselves be anointed. Sadly, both men would also suffer horrific deaths. Yet only one, Jesus, being both God and man, would be resurrected as Lord and Savior.
At this point in our scripture, these women may have had only a small inkling of what was to come. A very small inkling. They knew they were blessed for a special calling, and perhaps that was enough for now. Yet I have to wonder, what did they talk about in their time together? How many tears were shed? How much laughter, comparison, wonder and fear was shared? Certainly there were all sorts of emotions, because at their core, they were simply women. Different, yet similar. Separate in many ways, yet bonded in one amazing one.
Women can have a special bond with other women due to similar experiences and can be drawn together over them. What a gift women can be for one another. Which makes me wonder: is there a woman looking to you for comfort, hope, friendship, a listening ear? More than likely the answer is yes. And that, I believe, is itself a blessing.
Blessings. And prayers.
No comments:
Post a Comment