Today’s readings follow the appearance of Gabriel the Archangel to the Virgin Mary. Those verses detail the event that we call the Annunciation where Gabriel tells Mary that she is to conceive the Messiah Jesus by the Holy Spirit. It is following this event that the following verses take place. These passages especially depict Luke’s ability to weave Old Testament scripture as the framework for the very real events of the Gospel account.
39 In those days Mary arose and went with haste into the hill country, to a city of Judah,
“In those days” anchoring this sections timeline to somewhat immediately follow the previous. This would be in the same days of the Annunciation. Mary after speaking to Gabriel goes with “haste into the kill country, to a city of Judah”.
Mary’s haste to visit Elizabeth parallels the Ark of the Covenant’s journey to the house of Obed-edom in 2 Samuel 6:9-15.
40 and she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth.
Mary enters the home belong to Zechariah, the husband of Elizabeth and Elizabeth greets her cousin, Mary. The Ark of the Covenant, carrying God’s presence, was greeted with joy when it entered the house of Obed-edom. Similarly, Mary, carrying Jesus, enters Elizabeth’s house, bringing joy.
41 And when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit
Upon hearing Mary’s greeting Elizabeth is filled with the Holy Spirit and the baby John the Baptist within her womb leaps for joy. The Ark is greeted with joy, and the Spirit fills those who come into its presence. Elizabeth, filled with the Holy Spirit, reacts with joy when Mary, carrying Jesus, enters her house. 2 Samuel 6:9-15 – “And David danced before the Lord with all his might… and the Ark of the Lord came into the city of David with gladness.”
42 and she exclaimed with a loud cry, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb!
Elizabeth’s exclamation is not simply a verbal greeting but a prophetic declaration. Her loud cry reveals the depth of her joy and awe in the presence of the Messiah, foreshadowing the universal praise that Jesus will receive.
Elizabeth says “Blessed are you among women”. This phrase marks Mary’s high position among all women, a key verse supporting her unique role in salvation history. Elizabeth’s recognition acknowledges Mary’s unique cooperation with God’s will.
The phrase refers to Jesus and is partial scriptural source of the Hail Mary prayer or Angelic Salutation. The first part of the prayer comes from the Annunciation itself.
43 And why is this granted me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?
Elizabeth’s response mirrors David’s awe when the Ark is brought into the city. Both recognize the holiness of the presence they are encountering.
2 Samuel 6:9 – “And David was afraid of the Lord that day, and he said, ‘How can the ark of the Lord come to me?’”
44 For behold, when the voice of your greeting came to my ears, the babe in my womb leaped for joy.
“Babe in my womb leaped for joy”: John the Baptist’s leap indicates that even in utero, he recognizes the presence of Jesus. This moment reflects the joy that the coming of the Messiah brings to all of creation, even in the unborn.
This moment is often interpreted as a sign of the sanctity of human life and the joy that the presence of Christ brings into the world, even before birth. It also foreshadows the role of John the Baptist in heralding the coming of the Savior.
45 And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her from the Lord.”
Elizabeth’s praise of Mary focuses on her faith in God’s word. Mary’s belief in the angel’s message and her willingness to accept God’s will without reservation is central to her blessedness.
This verse highlights Mary’s faith, which is a key element of her assent to God’s will, often depicted as her “fiat” (let it be). Her faith is an example for all believers, and she is considered the model of perfect discipleship in Catholic teaching.
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