Today’s Scripture Readings

Gospel Reading

NRSV

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. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the child leapt in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit and exclaimed with 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 leapt for joy. And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfilment of what was spoken to her by the Lord.’ And Mary said, ‘My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour, for he has looked with favour on the lowliness of his servant. Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed; for the Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is his name. His mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation. He has shown strength with his arm; he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts. He has brought down the powerful from their thrones, and lifted up the lowly; he has filled the hungry with good things, and sent the rich away empty. He has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy, according to the promise he made to our ancestors, to Abraham and to his descendants for ever.’ And Mary remained with her for about three months and then returned to her home.

There is a great deal written about this scripture and what it profoundly means, but for me, it is all about sisterhood. Two women, one much older, one a teen, both pregnant with their first babies, spending time together. Blessed time together. I’m going to talk to the sisters here.

How good is it when you can spend time with other women? Quality extended periods where there can be lots of honest, open discussion about all manner of things. Not idle gossip, not frippery, but the marrow of life. It is my belief that women do this very well. Mary stayed with Elizabeth for three months. Imagine the personal sharing and growth and wisdom they would have shared. The time spent over the fire preparing meals and breaking bread together. The preparations for their respective births. Time spent in reflection, hearing God’s voice. What blessed time.

Sisters, can I encourage you to seek out other women? Spend time with them. Seek their counsel. Drink deeply from their wisdom. Be curious about how they see the world. Find out what they are passionate about and how they are bringing about the Kingdom of God in the world. Imagine the power we can tap into when we listen and walk with our sisters. May our souls magnify the Lord.