May312023

The Bible stories are not just spiritual tales of exalted figures but human stories filled with the messiness of life. Think of the newly pregnant Mary walking the ninety miles from Nazareth to the “hill country of Judea.” How uncomfortable was that! Three months later she returned, now showing, and, not doubt causing tongues to wag. “What was she doing down there?” That is why the words addressed to her by Elizabeth are so apt:  “Blessed are you who believed that what was spoken to you by the Lord would be fulfilled.” No matter the trouble, Mary trusted in the Lord. That is our story as well. We all have worries, troubles, concerns over which we feel powerless. But we have heard the word of the Lord spoken to us, a word of hope, of compassion, of love. We believe in the word, as Mary did, and are given the blessed assurance that in God’s time all will be well.