Saturday of the Third Week of Advent

Lectionary: 197

Mary set out in those days and traveled to the hill country in haste to a town of Judah, where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth.

 G ood news wants to be shared! Shouted! If she was entrusted with a mystery that could hardly be described or named, it had to be shared, and so Mary set out in haste for Jerusalem and her kinswoman Elizabeth. She had to tell someone and who better than the one whom Gabriel had also mentioned during their brief conversation? 

Seeing the old woman appearing more than fully pregnant -- in her sixth month! -- would confirm the Angel's promise. It was surely not the illusion of a pious, excitable teenage girl; but it wouldn't hurt to have the truth confirmed by one's own eyes. And Elizabeth's wonder must also be celebrated. If Jerusalem knew of the old woman's pregnancy, Galilee should also know. Given the secrets the Angel had revealed, nothing could keep Mary off the road.

And they were secrets. The appearance of an angel and his message are not to be shared with one's young, hysterical peers. As Isaiah said, "Who would believe what we have heard?" Society is eager for stories of out-of-wedlock pregnancy, and they'll fill in all the blanks with salacious details. The moment called for discretion and prudence as well as excitement and rejoicing. 

Because we are profoundly aware of all that is wrong with the world, and equally sure of our own helplessness before the cosmic tragedy, Christians are prone to gloominess. It might be called that dark night when nothing we say or do or attempt seems to make any difference. One of the most talented and accomplished priests I've ever known, toward the end of his life, wondered if he had done anything worth doing! I named some of his achievements but they meant nothing to him. 

But Gabriel's message was "good news of great joy for all the people!" And so "Mary set out in those days and traveled to the hill country in haste to a town of Judah, where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth." 

"And Elizabeth, filled with the Holy Spirit," greeted her with the same joy. The visit confirmed everything the Angel had said to Mary and to Zechariah. If his appearance or his message had ever been doubted, Mary's appearance in Elizabeth's house confirmed everything. This was real; this was true; this was certain. As certain as pregnancy, and there's never any doubt about that! 

Despite the calendar's proclamation of December with its wintry chill, Christians hear another message: 

For see, the winter is past,

the rains are over and gone.

The flowers appear on the earth,

the time of pruning the vines has come,

and the song of the dove is heard in our land.

The fig tree puts forth its figs,

and the vines, in bloom, give forth fragrance.

Arise, my beloved, my beautiful one,

and come! (Song of Songs 8:10-13)