Iron & Altar

"Blessed are you who believed that what was spoken to you by the Lord would be fulfilled." - Luke 1:45

Elizabeth praises Mary before Mary says a word about herself. She names the thing: blessed are you who believed. The believing is what Elizabeth sees when Mary walks in the door. It is what made the journey haste rather than hesitation. It is what produces the Magnificat - the song sung before any of it is visible, because the woman singing it has staked everything on the word being true.

Paul names the order: Christ the firstfruits, then at his coming those who belong to Christ. The Assumption says Mary is first in that second group. Not because she was sinless by her own power or special by nature. Because she believed what was spoken to her - all the way through, through thirty years in Nazareth, through Calvary, through whatever came after.

The believing that was held the whole length became the receiving.

Brother, what has been spoken to you by the Lord that you are currently holding - the thing you believe without yet being able to see it, the direction you have taken on faith, the commitment that has cost more than you expected when you made it? Hold it today. The feast says what the holding leads to.

Name what has been spoken to you that you are still carrying. The specific yes, the direction you took on faith, the believing that has not yet been resolved by evidence. Name it to another man today - say: this is what I am holding. Then say Elizabeth's sentence over it: blessed are those who believe that what was spoken to them will be fulfilled. Say it as a claim, not a hope.

Lord, let my soul proclaim your greatness. Let my spirit rejoice in you, my Savior. You have done great things - for her, for us, for me. Holy is your name. Let me go in haste to what needs me, because I believe what has been spoken. Amen.