Visitation of Mary
Jacopo da Pontormo, 1529

Dear friends,

Today, I would like to speak about the shared themes of two passages from the Bible, which speak to the power of faith, humility, and gratitude in the face of adversity, and how these qualities can transform our lives and the lives of those around us.

In Luke 1:39-57, we hear about the meeting between Mary, who has just been visited by the angel Gabriel and told that she will bear the son of God, and her cousin Elizabeth, who is also pregnant with John the Baptist. When Mary greets Elizabeth, the baby in Elizabeth's womb leaps for joy, and Elizabeth is filled with the Holy Spirit, proclaiming that Mary is blessed among women and that her child will be the Savior of the world.

Similarly, in 1 Samuel 2:1-10, we hear the prayer of Hannah, who has been barren but has been blessed with a son, Samuel, through the power of God. Hannah praises God for lifting her up from a place of despair and humiliation and for giving her strength to overcome her struggles.

Both of these passages speak to the power of faith and humility in the face of adversity. Mary and Elizabeth, both of whom are facing difficult and unexpected circumstances, are able to find joy and hope in their shared faith in God's plan for their lives. Similarly, Hannah, who has been ridiculed and shamed for her infertility, is able to find strength and gratitude in the knowledge that God has heard her prayers and answered them.

These passages also speak to the power of gratitude in transforming our lives and the lives of those around us. Mary, Elizabeth, and Hannah all offer prayers of thanksgiving for the blessings they have received, and in doing so, they create a sense of abundance and generosity that spreads to others. Mary's song of praise, the Magnificat, speaks to the ways in which God's blessings are not just for individuals, but for entire communities and societies, as the powerful are brought down and the humble are lifted up.

As we reflect on these passages, let us be reminded of the power of faith, humility, and gratitude in our own lives. Let us remember that even in the darkest moments, God is with us, offering us strength and hope. And let us strive to cultivate a spirit of gratitude and generosity that can transform our own lives and the lives of those around us.

May we all be blessed with the faith, humility, and gratitude of Mary, Elizabeth, and Hannah.