"[A model of faith to consider in this season of Advent is the wife of Zechariah], the unassuming Elizabeth. Her humble nature comes out in the question she presents rhetorically at Mary's Visitation: 'And why is this granted me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?' (Lk 1:43) In other words, who am I to be so honored? This was no false humility but the genuine virtue that enables someone to evaluate his or her own self in the light of the greatness of Almighty God. And so, it's neither the extreme of breast-beating, self-deprecating insincerity nor that of a bloated ego out of touch with reality.
"Because Elizabeth understands her own littleness (belonging to the long line of faithful anawim in the Hebrew Scriptures), she also understands who God is, both in Himself and for her personally. Even her name highlights this, for it means 'God is faithful.'"
In a recent commentary, Father Peter M.J. Stravinskas, founding editor of the The Catholic Response and publisher of Newman House Press, reflected on the faith, humility, and trust of Saint Elizabeth.
To access Fr. Stravinskas' complete post, please visit:
The Catholic Thing: Elizabeth: "God Has Sworn" (11 DEC 21)
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