When Jesus’ mother, Mary, learned she was pregnant, did she visit her own mother to tell the news? We do not know. Perhaps the news was too fraught for Mary, betrothed but not yet married. Perhaps she could not tell her mother, at least not yet. We do not know. Luke does tell us that Mary sought out her relative, a generation ahead of her and also pregnant in complicated circumstances. Elizabeth was too old to be pregnant, but there she was, far enough along to feel her son leap in her womb. Together, Mary and Elizabeth gave witness to the miracle within their bodies and the hope and faith they had for the future their sons would shape. The generational difference evaporated. They were first-time mothers.
From “Forging the Path” by Catherine Malotky, from the June 2014 issue of Gather magazine.
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