Saturday 31 May 2025

Psalm 113

Background
The Church celebrates today, 31 May, as the feast of Mary's visit to Elizabeth.

When Mary was told by the angel Gabriel that she would have a son by the power of the Holy Spirit and that she was to give him the name Jesus, she was also told that her relative Elizabeth, who was said to be barren, was six months pregnant. (Luke 1:26-38)

Gabriel had told Zechariah, Elizabeth’s husband, when he was serving as priest in the Temple that Elizabeth was going to have a baby (Luke 1:8-19). Gabriel told Zechariah to name the child John, and said he would prepare people for the coming of the Lord (ie for Jesus). (Luke 1:13-17)

The meeting of the two women was momentous. Both Elizabeth and her unborn baby instantly recognised the child Mary was carrying. Elizabeth’s baby made a sudden movement, he ‘leapt for joy’ (v. 44) and Elizabeth, filled with the Holy Spirit, described Mary as ‘the mother of my Lord’ (v. 43).

Mary’s response to the angel Gabriel telling her she was going to have a baby was one of humble obedience "Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word." (v. 38) After meeting Elizabeth, Mary bursts into joyful praise of God. Verses 46-49 are the start of Mary’s song of praise which continues through to verse 55.  These verses are called The Magnificat, from the word ‘magnifies’ in the first line.

To magnify is to increase the apparent size of something. From a distance an object can look very small and as we get closer it appears to get larger. The object hasn’t changed; our position or perspective has changed as we draw closer to it. To magnify the Lord is to increase the apparent size of God in our lives. God does not change, it's our perspective that changes as we draw closer.

To Ponder:

• Why do you think Mary went ‘in haste’ to see Elizabeth?
• What helps you to draw closer to God; to magnify God in your life?

Prayer
Lord God, we give thanks for the humble obedience of Mary and for her song of joyful praise. Give us her courage and humble obedience, that we too may live by faith and magnify the Lord. May our spirits rejoice in God our saviour. Amen.

Bible notes author: The Revd Gill Sharp
Gill Sharp is a minister residing in The Peak Circuit. She works part-time as a chaplain at the Methodist Homes (MHA) care home in the Hope Valley.

NOTE
Would you like to write for Word in Time? Or do you know someone who would?
Please email wit@methodistchurch.org.uk