Give credit or praise where it is due!

Luke 1:39-45
 

Mary set out and went as quickly as she could to a town in the hill country of Judah. She went into Zechariah’s house and greeted Elizabeth. Now as soon as Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the child leapt in her womb and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. She gave a loud cry and said, ‘Of all women you are the most blessed, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. Why should I be honoured with a visit from the mother of my Lord? For the moment your greeting reached my ears, the child in my womb leapt for joy. Yes, blessed is she who believed that the promise made her by the Lord would be fulfilled.’

Food for thought!

In today's gospel reading, Elizabeth does something many of us don't do: giving praises or credit to others.  When Mary visited her, Elizabeth "gave a loud cry and said, ‘Of all women you are the most blessed, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. Why should I be honoured with a visit from the mother of my Lord? For the moment your greeting reached my ears, the child in my womb leapt for joy. Yes, blessed is she who believed that the promise made her by the Lord would be fulfilled.’"

Elizabeth: Of all women, including myself, you are the most! When is the last time you acknowledged someone, a neighbour, a colleague at work, at church as being more than you! More blessed than you? More beautiful than you? More patient than you? More active than you? More loving than you…?

When did you last shout for joy, not because of your accomplishments but because the accomplishments of someone else? In other words, do you ever acknowledge that someone is better than you in something? Can you notice the good in others and state it publicly like Elizabeth did?

There is always something beautiful to be found, right where you are, if you will look for it. Concentrate your thoughts on the good, the beautiful, and the true things of life. This positive, loving attitude of mind can help you perceive the presence of God active in others. This is what Elizabeth did.

“The praises of others may be of use in teaching us not what we are, but what we ought to be.” — Augustus Hare