HEROES
December: Elizabeth
Heroes...Searching the Scriptures of our Parish Theme
This month's hero is Elizabeth, with her special gift being one of rejoicing.
Please start by reading some background information on her and her husband Zacharias, found in Luke 1: 5-25. After allowing this to sink in for a few moments, please move to Luke 1: 39-45 and give some consideration to the following questions:
Although Zacharias and Elizabeth were "both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless", Elizabeth was barren and they were both well advanced in years. Why would God choose to not bless them with children?
Not only did lack of children deprive parents of personal happiness, but it was generally considered to indicate divine disfavor and often brought social reproach. Take a look at these portions of scripture and the women who dealt with this: Sarai in Gen. 16:2; Rebekah in Gen. 25:21; Rachel in Gen. 30:23; and Hannah in 1 Samuel 1:1-18. How did they react to their various situations?
Most certainly, Zacharias and Elizabeth rejoiced greatly over the news of their own child. However, it surely must have been difficult for Elizabeth, seeing how her husband could not communicate with her. Think about a time in your life when you were overcome with joy, but could not share it with another. How did you feel? Did this lessen your joy?
Elizabeth becomes a true hero, in my opinion, when Mary makes her visit. Read again her words in Luke 1:42-45. Being filled with the Holy Spirit, she literally cries aloud all of the JOY inside of her as she comes to the realization of who that baby in Mary's womb really is. Why is it so difficult for many of us to cry aloud with rejoicing about our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ? How can we, during this Holy Season, truly rejoice as Elizabeth did so long ago? Even more importantly, how can we carry that same rejoicing spirit throughout the entire year?
Prayer:
Heavenly Father,
We are so thankful for your servant Elizabeth and her rejoicing spirit, not only for herself, but for others as well. Help us to rejoice, as she once did, in that Babe of Bethlehem, the one who makes all things new again. In His Holy Name we pray. —Amen