Friday 21 December

Song of Songs 2:8-14 or Zephaniah 3:14-18; Psalm 32 (33):2-3, 11-12, 20-21; Luke 1:39-45

In their bodiliness

When she heard Mary’s greeting, the Spirit-filled Elizabeth offers the first of the many blessings in this gospel. She blesses Mary in her own person first, in her own right, and then after that blesses the fruit of her womb, her childbearing (1:43). Both recognise God in their bodiliness, conception, and the new life growing within them. They are supportive and understanding of each other. In this encounter of two strong women, we find a rare biblical conversation between two women, and an example of the wisdom and care that older persons can offer younger persons.