In this final reflection in our “Saints for Advent” series, we meet Elizabeth, the cousin of the Virgin Mary:
Mary set out and traveled to the hill country in haste to a town of Judah, where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the infant leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth, filled with the Holy Spirit, cried out in a loud voice and said, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. And how does this happen to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For at the moment the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the infant in my womb leaped for joy. Blessed are you who believed that what was spoken to you by the Lord would be fulfilled.”
Elizabeth’s greeting is inspired by the Holy Spirit and tells the world that God has worked a miracle in the life of Mary. But Elizabeth is living a miracle also. Thought to be too advanced in age to conceive a child, she is expecting John the Baptist. The visit is a celebration of God blessing, giving life, and keeping the promise that a Savior would finally come.
Elizabeth recognizes the work of a generous God who is active in the lives of His people and who is always creating – sometimes in the most surprising ways. She is a powerful intercessor for all those who are hopeful about welcoming children into their lives, through conception or adoption. And Elizabeth teaches us that we are never so “advanced in age” to have a childlike trust in God to provide for His people. Blessed is she, and blessed are we when we respond with joy to all that God does for us!
Praying for you every day and wishing you a wonderful Christmas,
Welcome to the Saint Aloysius! Our parish was founded in 1896 to serve the Catholic families that were settling in the greater New Canaan area.