MARY'S MAGNIFICAT

After Mary had miraculously conceived Christ the Messiah in her virginal womb by the overshadowing power of God's Holy Spirit, she learnt her barren cousin Elizabeth had also miraculously conceived in her old age and was now, for six months, waiting for the birth of her child. Mary immediately left to stay with Elizabeth in her hill country home for about three months.

"When Mary arrived at Elizabeth's home she was greeted by her husband Zachary, and in the moment Elizabeth heard the salutation, her child leapt in her womb, as in that moment both mother and child were filled with the Holy Spirit. Overjoyed, Elizabeth cried out to Mary: Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb. Whence is this to me that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For behold, as soon as the voice of thy salutation sounded in my ears, the infant in my womb leapt for joy. Blessed are you for believing the things to be accomplished which were spoken to you by the Lord." (Luke 1:39-45)

Mary's immediate response to Elizabeth was her 'MAGNIFICAT':

"My soul doth magnify the Lord,
and my spirit has rejoiced in God my Saviour,
because he has regarded the humility of His handmaid:
Behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed,
because He Who is mighty has done great things to me, and Holy is His Name.
His mercy is from generation unto generations, to those who fear Him.
He has shown might in His arm:
He has scattered the proud in the conceit of their hearts.
He has put down the mighty from their seats, and has exalted the humble.
He has filled the hungry with good things,
and the rich He has sent away empty.
He has received Israel His servant, being mindful of His mercy:
as He spoke to our fathers, to Abraham, and to His (Abraham's) seed forever."
(Luke 1:39-45)

After about three months, Mary returned to her own home, and Elizabeth was delivered of her son, John the Baptist, after whose birth, his father Zachary, filled with the Holy Spirit, prophesied his 'BENEDICTUS':

"Blessed be the God of Israel because He has visited and wrought the redemption of His people: You, child (John) shall be called the 'Prophet of The Highest' because you shall go before the face of the Lord, to prepare His ways: to give knowledge of salvation unto the remission of sins: through the depths of the mercy of our God, the 'Holy One from on High' has visited us: to enlighten those who live in darkness and the shadow of death, to guide us into His way of peace." (...forever.)
(Luke 1:67-68; 76-78; Micah 1:3)

Mary's admonition to each of us: "Do whatever He tells you!" (John 2:5)