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Reflections
Today's Reading: Luke 1:39-56
Daily Lectionary: Joshua 7:1-26; Acts 10:34-48
"For behold, when the sound of your greeting came to my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy." (Luke 1:44)
In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. The Annunciation (March 25) is the day that the Christian Church celebrates Gabriel's visit to the Virgin Mary and the conception of Jesus in Mary's womb. The Visitation is the day on which the Church remembers when Mary visited her old and pregnant relative, Elizabeth, hence the name "Visitation."
This is a unique event, in that this is the first time that John the Baptist and Jesus meet (albeit within the wombs of their respective mothers). Also, this is the first time John confesses that Jesus is the Messiah. He leaps with joy in Elizabeth's womb, having been filled with the Spirit.
This is no clump of cells inside Elizabeth's womb. It is a baby, capable of leaping and feeling joy. It is a baby, capable of receiving God's Spirit. And in Mary's womb there is another baby – the Lord, who experienced a full human life to save every human, regardless of what stage of life they are in.
This text is especially comforting for any Christian woman who has suffered a miscarriage. Our Lutheran fathers were confident that God would save such children. If God could give the Spirit and faith to the unborn Baptist, then He can do the same for our children.
We know that Jesus was conceived and born in order to die for our stillborn children. Our Lord has also promised that God will answer the prayers of His people (Matthew 21:22, John 14:13-14). Therefore, we will offer our stillborn children to our Father through prayer and ask Him to rescue them from eternal death, confident that He will be faithful to His promises. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.
Almighty God, You chose the virgin Mary to be the mother of Your Son and made known through her Your gracious regard for the poor and lowly and despised. Grant that we may receive Your Word in humility and faith, and so be made one with Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. (Collect for the Visitation)
Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor René Castillero
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By Higher Things®Today's Reading: Luke 1:39-56
Daily Lectionary: Joshua 7:1-26; Acts 10:34-48
"For behold, when the sound of your greeting came to my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy." (Luke 1:44)
In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. The Annunciation (March 25) is the day that the Christian Church celebrates Gabriel's visit to the Virgin Mary and the conception of Jesus in Mary's womb. The Visitation is the day on which the Church remembers when Mary visited her old and pregnant relative, Elizabeth, hence the name "Visitation."
This is a unique event, in that this is the first time that John the Baptist and Jesus meet (albeit within the wombs of their respective mothers). Also, this is the first time John confesses that Jesus is the Messiah. He leaps with joy in Elizabeth's womb, having been filled with the Spirit.
This is no clump of cells inside Elizabeth's womb. It is a baby, capable of leaping and feeling joy. It is a baby, capable of receiving God's Spirit. And in Mary's womb there is another baby – the Lord, who experienced a full human life to save every human, regardless of what stage of life they are in.
This text is especially comforting for any Christian woman who has suffered a miscarriage. Our Lutheran fathers were confident that God would save such children. If God could give the Spirit and faith to the unborn Baptist, then He can do the same for our children.
We know that Jesus was conceived and born in order to die for our stillborn children. Our Lord has also promised that God will answer the prayers of His people (Matthew 21:22, John 14:13-14). Therefore, we will offer our stillborn children to our Father through prayer and ask Him to rescue them from eternal death, confident that He will be faithful to His promises. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.
Almighty God, You chose the virgin Mary to be the mother of Your Son and made known through her Your gracious regard for the poor and lowly and despised. Grant that we may receive Your Word in humility and faith, and so be made one with Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. (Collect for the Visitation)
Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor René Castillero