Moved to witness

Mary’s powerful encounter with Gabriel compelled her to witness. The Holy Spirit overwhelmed her with such joy that she could only respond by telling those dearest to her what God had done in her—as the angel had directed her.

In those days Mary arose and went with haste into the hill country, to a city of Judah and she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. (Luke 1:39–40)

She immediately traveled to visit her cousin Elizabeth. The distance of about eighty miles, taking four or five days travel, gave Mary the opportunity she needed to ponder the meaning of what God was doing through her. Gabriel returned to Heaven but the Holy Spirit walked beside Mary, guiding her way, reassuring her, answering as many of her questions as she could handle, and clarifying her mission.

What questions did Mary ponder on her way to visit Elizabeth? What answers did she get?

I don’t know how many answers Mary received. In her openness to the Holy Spirit, she probably received many more answers than I do. Sometimes, I understand some of the unknowns better by the time I arrive at my destination. Sometimes, I must accept the unknowns as gifts to open another day.

Mary greeted Elizabeth and, before she could give her cousin the news of her own miraculous pregnancy, God announced it when the baby, John the Baptist, leaped in Elizabeth’s womb, again proving that nothing is impossible with God. In the presence of Mary with Jesus in her womb, the Holy Spirit filled Elizabeth with the Holy Spirit.

And when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit and she exclaimed with a loud cry, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! And why is this granted me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For behold, when the voice of your greeting came to my ears, the babe in my womb leaped for joy. And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her from the Lord.” (Luke 1:41–45)

When you mull over an incredible event in your life, does the reality slowly sink in over time? Can you see the advantages and disadvantages it could bring? An unexpected pregnancy can bring joy or frustration. Your reactions may range from delight to disappointment, from wanting to shout from the mountaintop to fleeing into hiding. Finally, you come to accept God’s will, even if the outcome is the opposite of what you thought was best for you. It’s human—and healthy—to question and ponder puzzling changes until you are blessed with the peace that God meant you to have in the center of his will.

Mary’s questioning of the angel during the Annunciation, as well as her pondering during her journey, made the action of the Holy Spirit clearer in her mind when she shared it.