May 31, 2024 

Today's Reading: Luke 1:39-45 (46-56)

Daily Lectionary: Ecclesiastes 8:1-17; John 9:1-23

And when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the baby leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit, and she exclaimed with a loud cry, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! And why is this granted to me that the mother of my Lord should come to me? (Luke 1:41–43)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Isn’t it interesting that creation cannot help but acknowledge who Jesus is and what He has come to do for them? I think it’s wild that the first person to acknowledge who Jesus was was a baby who wasn’t born yet. The whole creation cries out for the birth of the King. The Visitation of St. Mary to St. Elizabeth is a prime example of this. John the Baptist knew this even before he was born. Isn’t that amazing? 

We can learn another thing from the story of the Visitation. We can learn that faith is entirely the work of God. John the Baptist had not even been born yet, and yet he knew who he was greeting when Mary came around with Jesus in her womb. Nobody could have taught him. This was not someone at the “age of reason.” But this baby, still in the womb, was granted the Gift of faith by the Holy Spirit. In the same way, Elizabeth is given the same faith! Right as Mary rolls in, Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit (verse 41), exclaiming with “a loud cry, blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb!” (verse 42). Elizabeth was given faith from the Holy Spirit to recognize Mary and Jesus in her. Thanks be to God for that same faith and that same Holy Spirit. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God, my Savior.

For He has regarded the lowliness of His handmaiden.

For behold, from this day all generations will call me blessèd.

For the Mighty One has done great things to me, and holy is His name;

and His mercy is on those who fear Him from generation to generation. (Magnificat)

-Pastor Jonathan Lackey is the pastor at Grace Lutheran Church, Vine Grove, Ky.

Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor Jonathan Lackey is the pastor at Grace Lutheran Church, Vine Grove, Ky.

A Complete Guide to Christian Symbols . This collection of over 600 hand-drawn Christian symbols by artist and author Edward Riojas will teach you the extensive history of the imagery of the Church. Each symbol is a beautiful and historical connection to generations of Christians that have worshiped before you. A Complete Guide to Christian Symbols. Now available from Concordia Publishing House.