A Leap of Faith

Luke 1:41-43
And when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the baby leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit, and she exclaimed with a loud cry, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! And why is this granted to me that the mother of my Lord should come to me?”
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A Leap of Faith
The baby John, still in his mother’s womb, leaps with joy at the sound of Mary’s voice, at being in the presence of Jesus, God’s Son. This was no mere physical response, like all babies do at various times in their mother’s wombs. This was a leap of faith. John reacted in faith to the presence of his Savior, even though they both, by today’s standards, would not even be considered people, worthy of protection. This passage shows us the Holy Spirit does indeed work faith in God’s people when and where He chooses. Our faith is not our doing, but is a free gift, unearned and unmerited. Which is why we, guided by the Holy Spirit, also bring our infants to God’s font in Holy Baptism. Children need what Christ offers: forgiveness.
During this Advent season, we also rely on the faith we have been given. Faith that points us to His Word and Sacraments to sustain us. Faith that rests in God’s promise that Jesus will return for us, whether individually in our own death, or collectively on that last day of history. Faith that sustains us in the face of trials and temptations. Faith knows that God’s promises will surely be fulfilled.
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