When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the child leaped in her womb. (Lk. 1:41)

… it is no longer I who live, but it is Christ who lives in me. (Gal. 2:20)

The joy of the moment in today’s first scripture between Elizabeth and Mary could have only happened with God. Elizabeth was considered too old to become pregnant, but now she is. Mary had not yet been with a man, but she is also with child.

When the boy inside of Elizabeth heard Mary’s voice, this yet-to-be-born child recognized that Mary was carrying the savior of the world. What a tender, intimate, and miraculous moment.

I believe we can have our own experience of what happened between Elizabeth and Mary so many years ago. Let me explain.

If we believe Paul’s words in today’s second scripture — “it is no longer I who live, but it is Christ who lives in me” — then we’re carriers of and pregnant with the presence of Jesus.

Would our relationships with each other change if when we saw each other we recognized and remembered that the presence of Jesus was embedded and lived within that other person? Of course.

What would happen if instead of simply seeing Joe or Laura, or if instead of simply feeling whether we liked them or not, we saw a glimmer of Jesus in them and heard a whisper of Jesus from them? Well, every relationship could be transformed.

Today I encourage us to remember that by faith we carry Jesus within us, and that by faith others do as well. Because others and we carry Jesus within us, I believe that the moment between Elizabeth and Mary need not be a moment we read about, but a moment we can share with them.

When the presence of Jesus in us recognizes the presence of Jesus in someone else, how can our hearts and souls not leap for joy?

Reflection Questions:

1. If you intentionally looked for the presence of Jesus in those around you, how would your relationships change?

2. If you always remembered that you are a carrier of the presence of Jesus, would you treat yourself any differently? If so, how?

3. Pregnant Elizabeth gave birth to John. Pregnant Mary gave birth to Jesus.  Pregnant people are meant to give birth.  By faith, we are pregnant with Jesus. What would giving birth to the love, peace, and joy of Jesus look like in your life?