Just one last sermon until Pastor gets back from vacation (two weeks). This is the next evening prayer service (the one I cannot attend due to the elevated temperature) sermon:

Jesu Juva

“Blessed is She; Blessed are You”
Text: Luke 1:39-55

Grace, mercy, and peace to you from God our Father, and from our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.

"Blessed is she who believed, for there will be a fulfillment of those things which were told her from the Lord." said St. Elizabeth to St. Mary. St. Mary was just pregnant. The Holy Spirit had overshadowed her and she had conceived. The Seed of Abraham was in her womb, a child without a father. She was probably not showing yet. She was probably scared. Her parents may have even sent her there out of shame while they tried to figure out what to do. St. Joseph came close to dismissing her. But Gabriel told him the score and he, in faith like Mary's, believed and kept his word. It may be because St. Joseph kept her that St. Mary's folks let her come home.

Whatever the circumstances, Elizabeth rejoiced to see her and told her that the pregnancy was good, nothing to be ashamed of, but thankful for. That is not true of every pregnancy, but it was true of this one. And Elizabeth says it out loud. She honors Mary and calls her the Mother of the Lord. What a relief it must have been to hear what the angel said confirmed in a human a voice and to be reminded once again that the things she was told would be fulfilled. She would bear the Holy Child, the Savior of the world. She would be the most blessed of all women. She would be redeemed from all her sins. Her shame and sorrows would all be removed.

"Blessed is she who believed, for there will be a fulfillment of those things which were told her from the Lord." This is also true for you. Blessed are you who believe. There will be a fulfillment of those things which you have been told by the Lord. The Lord has said to you: "I baptize you in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit." He has said: "I forgive you all your sins." He has said: "Take, eat. This is My Body. Take, drink. This Cup is the New Testament in My Blood." You are innocent. You are Holy. You are clean, pure, immaculate, complete. The life, suffering, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ stands in your place, all His good and perfect works are credited to your account, God is well-pleased with and delights in you.

But it may not feel that way. Like a woman just pregnant, it may not show. But it will be fulfilled. It is true already, whether it feels like it or not. You have been overshadowed by the Holy Spirit. Jesus abides in you. You belong to Him and will be freed from all this pain, sorrow, and shame. What God has said to and about you is truer than what you or your neighbors see.

Mary's sorrows were just beginning when she met the pregnant Elizabeth. The shame of her pregnancy and of Our Lord's ignoble, out-of-doors birth would only increase in the following year until she had to flee in the night from Herod's soldiers and be exiled for a time in Egypt. Eventually she would come home, but nothing would be the same. She'd also lose Joseph along the way, and then stand at the foot of the cross in horror as they tortured and mocked her friendless Son. A sword would pierce her heart and she would know sorrow like no other mother on earth. But she would see the risen Lord, and even in her sorrows she knew joy. She is the most blessed of women. The covenant with Abraham is fulfilled through her womb. She gets it right in her sung response to Elizabeth's prophecy. She praises God for how He has treated her, for His mercy and strength as evidenced in His historic grace to His people, for His consideration of the poor and meek, and for the giving of His Seed, the Savior of all men.

That Good News is what sees her through, what comforts her in the night, what she waits for her long years on earth even after His ascension. Again, it is the same for you. She is a type of you. She lives out your faith. She is also an example for you. Once a certain woman from the crowd raised her voice and said to Jesus, "Blessed is the womb that bore You, and the breasts which nursed You!" That is, "Blessed is St. Mary." That is true. She is the most blessed of all women, but Jesus said, "More than that, blessed are those who hear the word of God and keep it!" Not keep as in obey; but keep as in treasure.

Blessed are you who hear the Word of God. What Elizabeth prophesied of Mary is also true of you. God's Word and promise will be fulfilled in you. You enjoy many good things now, though your souls are pierce-able. The Word of God endures forever. It never changes and never lies. He saw St. Mary through. He will see you through. You are blessed now through that Holy Word and your blessing will keep on coming, until finally, it is all fulfilled, as it has been for the Blessed Virgin before you, so shall it also be for you.

In the Name of the Father and of the (+) Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.