Abstract
In the twilight just before dawn, the day and night of the old covenant almost spent, the new Sun of Righteousness not yet risen, Our God is wide awake, has already begun to work. Like Zechariah and Elizabeth, like a withered fig tree, God’s covenant with Israel had exhausted its fruitfulness. Prophecy had long since ceased. National hopes smashed by foreign domination, old Israel had all but lost hope. But the merciful goodness of the Lord Our God, Who refuses defeat and delights to bring life from the dead, just as He was about to do something surprising and new, miraculously raised up from remnant Israel a link of continuity, a prophet to prepare again the way of the Lord. And that new Virgin Daughter of Zion, Mother-to-be of Israel reformed, expectant Mother of God, runs to old Mother Israel for nurture and comfort. They meet, greet, recognize each other, acknowledge the work of God in each other: “Blessed are you, blessed your fruit!” “My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord!”
Luke tells this story about Elizabeth and Mary, because, collective figures as they are, they are our foremothers. From them we learn about the vocation and the fruitfulness that comes from God.
The first point is that Kingdom fruit is always miraculous; it is beyond our power to make it happen. Zechariah and Elizabeth were too old to have children; Mary had never “known a man.” Before them, Gideon’s army had been too tiny, Moses was poor at public speaking, David’s sling shot scarcely state of the defensive arts. God does things this way to advertise that He is doing something far beyond created competence and human ken. Even with two young parents, there is no way human biology, or human activity of any kind could suffice to produce Immanuel, God with us!!! No, God takes our self-offerings, all that we have and all that we are, lifts them up on Heaven’s altar, sanctifies us with Holy Presence, makes us partners, co-workers, collaborators with God!
Second, we learn from Elizabeth and Mary that courage to follow our vocations comes from mutual recognition. Precisely because God’s ways are higher than our ways, we cannot fully grasp how our role fits into Divine plans. Mary said “yes” to the angel, but she did not always “get it.” The disciples left everything to follow Jesus, but they were stunned by His death on the cross. What seemed right, even idealistic, can appear stupid, even irresponsible or blasphemous in the cold light of day–like consenting to a pre-marital pregnancy; or leaving the family business to seek integrity in an uncertain future; or renouncing the advantages of middle-class life to work in developing countries or with the homeless poor; or worshiping a human being who claims to be God. Moreover, because we have no distance from ourselves, because we know our secret faults, unworthy motives, unruly feelings, it can be hardest of all to recognize the work of God in ourselves. And so we need community, others to say, “Look there, I see the work of God in you!” as we reply, “But see here, the Spirit of God is moving in you!”
Third, the meeting of Elizabeth and Mary teaches us to resolve the tension between old and new with continuity through change. For on the one hand, our best clue to what God is doing in the present are God’s mighty acts in the past. Expectant Mother Church ran back to Mother Synagogue, to Abraham, to Moses, the Psalmist, and the prophets to be taught who Jesus really is. And we in our day need not only to read the Bible, but to drop our reserve with each other, even across generational lines. The young and middle-aged need to hear senior citizens tell the mighty acts of God in their time. Likewise, Grandma and Grandpa can find joy in watching their children trace the Spirit’s wind in the present day. For one thing is sure: Our God does not change character; God’s miracles did not begin, nor will they end in our time!
Finally, we learn from Mother Elizabeth, that to be happy in our vocations, we need to believe. We know from experience as much as the Bible and our elders, that Our God is no magician, nor does God follow Pollyanna’s script. God permits earthquakes and winds and fires to destroy homes. God does not stop people from fighting fear with selfishness and hate; God has allowed us so to organize our city that hundreds live on our streets, wandering around town hustling quarters, with no place to lay their heads. Usually God lets Nature run its course, does not interfere when AIDS and cancer attack the young, usually does not step in when our bodies betray us to arthritis, strokes, and heart disease. Our God Who sent Jesus allowed Him to die on a cross. Beginning vocations are full of promise. But we can be happy in shadowed valleys, only if we refuse the lie that God is out to get us…only if we believe that God is faithful to be with us, and strong to succeed where our powers fail!
We are too little to more than glimpse our fruitfulness in God’s Realm. But Jesus Christ will tell us all about it on that Last Great Day. For when we stand, all robed in white before the great judgment seat of Christ, Our God will render the Divine verdict with Elizabeth’s greeting: “Blessed are you, blessed your fruit…Your fruit is Jesus!”
Let our reply be Mary’s: “My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord!”