Mary's Focus

When Mary entered Elizabeth's home and greeted Elizabeth, the child  in Elizabeth's womb leaped with joy.  The Holy Spirit who overshadowed Mary when Jesus was conceived now overshadowed John in Elizabeth's womb. Elizabeth, also filled with the Holy Spirit, recognized Mary, her young cousin, as the mother of God, and cries out: "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.... (Luke 1: 39-45).  Mary could have focused on  herself following that greeting but does not.  She focuses on God, proclaiming God's greatness: "My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord; my spirit rejoices in God my savior, for he has looked upon his lowly servant"  (Luke 1: 46).  She does, however, acknowledge that she has truly been blessed:  From this day all generations will call me blessed: the Almighty has done great things for me, and holy is his Name"  (Luke 1: 47).  Notice, again, though, that she immediately directs our attention to "the Almighty."

Where is your focus/my focus?  When something great has happened in our lives, do we turn our attention and that of others to ourselves or to the Lord God?

Focus and its Power

In today’s first reading, Acts 11: 19-26, we are witnesses to the power of Jesus at work in those who dedicate their lives to the Gospel. People are scattered all over by the persecution. Stephen has been stoned to death for preaching in Jesus’ name.  Those strong in the faith  move on and continue “proclaiming the Lord Jesus.”  What if you and I, in the midst of all that throws people into confusion in our day, keep our eyes on Christ Jesus, continue “proclaiming” our faith in Christ Jesus.  I ask myself: Upon what or whom, Dorothy Ann, are you focused? I have the option of focusing on my confusion or on the confusion around me or on Jesus. Focusing my that which if troublesome to me will not give me stability. Only Jesus will! With my focus on Jesus and on seeking the Lord above all in my own poverty, I will stand firm, even when those around me are shaken, upset, or angry. In those moments, I also need to move on, knowing that the “hand of the Lord [is] with [those]…who [believe and turn] to the Lord (compare Acts: 11-1-21)!