The Women Who Raised Jesus 2: Elizabeth

Mary Visits Elizabeth by James Tissot

Luke tells us about three women who were part of Jesus’ early life. Elizabeth was the older cousin and confidant to Mary.  Did she have some advice on nursing and colic and sleeping I wonder?  We can read about her in  Luke 1.  Elizabeth was, like Mary unexpectedly pregnant, but Elizabeth thought she wouldn’t be pregnant because she was too old.  She and Zachariah had been trying for years without the help of in vitro.   

The angel Gabriel had been busy.  Before his visit to Mary, he had gone to Zechariah.  Zechariah had his doubts when Gabriel told him to expect a child, but not Elizabeth.  Even though her becoming pregnant was as unlikely as Mary becoming pregnant, she didn’t give up. When  Zechariah heard the message of the angel, he concluded it can’t be done. He was struck dumb. But not so Elizabeth. She said, “OK, let’s make it happen.” (Nothing about the shadow of the Most High in this story.  John was conceived in the usual way!)  How often do we see seemly impossible tasks and just shut down because we don’t believe it can be done?  Coming out of the virus and building a better world?  An end to poverty and homelessness in Canada?  An economy not based on fossil fuels?  A halt to rising CO2 levels?  An end to war and terrorism?  If it is God’s will, nothing is impossible.  What would you like to change in your life that seems impossible?  What might you do to help the impossible happen?