This Gospel always makes my heart sing, as it is a glimpse of the Father’s intrinsic vision for women, who are invited to participate in the light of His promise. In her encounter with the Blessed Virgin Mary, Saint Elizabeth is filled with the Spirit and calls on this very reality.
“Blessed are you who believed that what was spoken to you by the Lord would be fulfilled.” (Luke 1:45)
So often, I find myself halfheartedly mumbling this one statement: God has a plan. It is my automatic response to misunderstanding and doubt, whether I truly believe its sentiments or it is simply a means to subdue the brokenness. I am quick to speak of His faithfulness, but my humanity has experienced cancelled plans and broken promises. Very rarely do I stop in wonder of what it would mean to be confident in His plan, and walk in all that He promises.
Yet, Mary believed that what was spoken to her by the Lord would be fulfilled.
She knew the heart of the Father so intimately that she took Him at His word. Mary lived each day with the confidence that He was not a Father who made empty promises, but that He was a Father who kept His word. Her life was rooted in the truth that He is who He says He is, an endlessly loyal God with Heaven’s timing. She walked in His promise, humbled that He wrote her into the plan of salvation history, all the days of her life.
Blessed is she who carried His promise in her womb, trusting His word was higher than the societal norms that would have condemned her. Blessed is she who rested in His covenant to her, that she would know His presence and one day be seated with Him in Heaven for her “yes.” Blessed is she who chose to engage in the fulfillment of His word, even in seasons of longing and waiting. Blessed is she.
On this day, may we rest in knowing that He is a God of His promise and a Father of infinite loyalty. May we follow the example of Our Lady, and trust He is fulfilling all things in the process.
[bctt tweet="Mary walked in His promise, humbled that He wrote her into the plan of salvation history, all the days of her life."]
Do you feel blessed? Is someone in life needing to hear that she is blessed, too? Give her a text or call today. Remind her of this beautiful verse in the Gospel.
Sarah Elizabeth is a politics pre-law major at the Catholic University of America in Washington, DC. Born and raised in Arizona, she finds great joy in mountains, lattes, American history, and the piano. She is constantly discovering Christ's wild love in the little things.
