Episode 905
Revolutionary Love: The Divine Encounter of Mary and Elizabeth
The "Daily Bible Refresh" is presented each day by Rev. Dr. Brad Miller who has a goal of speaking a bit of the bible into two million ears (one million people) in three years (2025-2028).
He is the author of "The A, B, C-1,2,3 Bible Study Guide" Free to you by clicking HERE.
Brad served as a local church pastor for forty years and has a background in radio and podcasting. Moreover, he is a life-long student of The Bible.
He believes in the words of Jesus that “scripture is fulfilled in your hearing” (Luke 4:21)
The "Daily Bible Refresh" is available seven days a week by 6:00 am ET. The episodes are no longer than ten minutes long and are...
- Understandable: A reading from the New Testament (usually the Gospel) selected from the Revised Common Lectionary using "The Message" translation.
- Relatable: You will have a couple of "points to ponder" from the text which will relate to your life
- Applicable: Every episode includes a way you can take action based on the reading
- A recommended resource to help you go deeper in biblical study and spiritual direction.
- A prayer for your day.
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Remember… “All scripture is God-breathed and useful”(2 Timothy 3:16)
The exploration of Luke 1:39-58 in this episode reveals the radical dimensions of love and solidarity between two significant biblical figures, Mary and Elizabeth. The speakers engage with the text to illuminate the profound implications of their relationship, emphasizing how these two women, one young and the other old, represent the power of divine love that transcends societal boundaries. Their encounter is portrayed as a revolutionary act of mutual support, where their shared experiences of vulnerability become a source of strength and resistance against patriarchal norms. The narrative not only highlights the importance of women's solidarity but also serves as a critique of the systems that seek to marginalize voices like theirs.
A critical aspect of the discussion focuses on the Magnificat, Mary's song of praise, which is framed as a bold political statement rather than a simple hymn of gratitude. The speakers articulate how Mary's words serve as a manifesto for social justice, advocating for the overthrow of tyrants and the upliftment of the poor. This interpretation challenges conventional readings that often sanitize the radical nature of scriptural texts, encouraging listeners to embrace the revolutionary potential found within these ancient words. By doing so, the episode calls for a re-examination of the ways in which sacred texts can inform and inspire contemporary movements for justice and equity.
In concluding the episode, the speakers issue a compelling call to action, urging listeners to engage with local women-led organizations that advocate for social justice. This action step not only provides a practical application of the insights shared throughout the discussion but also reinforces the idea that true solidarity requires active participation and support. By fostering networks that challenge systemic injustice, listeners are invited to embody the spirit of revolutionary love exemplified by Mary and Elizabeth, ultimately working towards a more just and equitable society.
Takeaways:
- The podcast explores the profound theme of revolutionary love as illustrated in the biblical passage from Luke 1:39-58.
- Women's solidarity is emphasized as a vital form of resistance against patriarchal systems, demonstrated by Mary and Elizabeth's relationship.
- The Magnificat, sung by Mary, is interpreted as a powerful manifesto advocating for social and economic justice.
- The episode highlights the significance of divine action through unlikely messengers, challenging societal norms and hierarchies.
- Listeners are encouraged to identify and support women-led organizations that promote social justice within their communities.
- The discussion underlines the importance of creating networks of support that challenge systemic injustices and foster mutual aid.
Links referenced in this episode:
Companies mentioned in this episode:
- voiceofgoddaily.com
Transcript
Revolutionary love When Women Prophets Meet A reflection on Luke 1:39 58 on the Daily Bible refresh with Dr.
Speaker A:Brad Miller and hello good people.
Speaker A:Welcome to Daily Bible Refresh with Dr.
Speaker A:Brad Miller.
Speaker A:This is where we come to you every single day, every day to give you a reading of the New Testament from the Bible.
Speaker A:And we make it in such a way that it's understandable a reading from the message version relatable.
Speaker A:We give you some points to ponder and applicable give you an action step.
Speaker A:We do it all in under 10 minutes or so.
Speaker A:It's all brought to you by voiceofgoddaily.com that's our website where you can find our ABC 1, 2, 3 Bible study method.
Speaker A:We take our Bible readings from the Revised Common Lectionary.
Speaker A:We're in year C, a three year cycle.
Speaker A:We're in the Eastertide season so let's have a reading for the day from Luke 1:39 58 reading from the Message Blessed among Women Mary didn't waste a minute.
Speaker A:She got up and traveled to a town in Judah in the hill country, straight to Zachariah's house and greeted Elizabeth.
Speaker A:When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the baby in her womb leaped.
Speaker A:She was filled with the Holy Spirit and sang out exuberantly, you are blessed among women and the babe in your womb also blessed.
Speaker A:And why am I so blessed that the mother of my Lord visits me?
Speaker A:The moment the sound in your greeting entered my ears, the babe in my womb skipped like a lamb for sheer joy.
Speaker A:Blessed woman who believed what God said, believed every word had come true.
Speaker A:And Mary said, I'm bursting with God news.
Speaker A:I'm dancing the song of my Savior.
Speaker A:God.
Speaker A:God took one look at me and look what happened.
Speaker A:I'm the most fortunate woman on earth.
Speaker A:What God has done for me will never be forgotten.
Speaker A:The God whose very name is holy, set apart from all others.
Speaker A:His mercy flows in wave after wave on those who are in awe before him he bared his arms and showed his strength, Scattered the bluffing braggarts.
Speaker A:He knocked tyrants off their high horses pulled victims out of the mud.
Speaker A:The starving poor sat down to a banquet.
Speaker A:The callous rich were left out into the cold.
Speaker A:He embraced his chosen child.
Speaker A:Israel, he remembered and piled on the mercies, piled them high.
Speaker A:It's exactly what he promised, beginning with Abraham and right up until now.
Speaker A:Mary stayed with Elizabeth for three months and then went back to her to her home.
Speaker A:The Birth of John When Elizabeth was full term in her pregnancy, she gave birth to a son.
Speaker A:Her neighbors and relatives seeing that God had overwhelmed her with mercy and celebrated with her oh, what a joyous passage of Scripture and today's reflection.
Speaker A:It's really the radical story of two women who embodied in their interactions divine love, divine resistance and revolutionary hope.
Speaker A:Let's talk about some points to ponder.
Speaker A:The Power of Women's Solidarity the passage shows two marginalized women, one very young, one very old, supporting each other during vulnerable times.
Speaker A:Mary didn't waste a minute getting to Elizabeth, showing us how women's solidarity can be a form of resistance against patriarchal systems.
Speaker A:Their mutual support and celebration models feminist theology in action.
Speaker A:The second point is the magnificent as political protest.
Speaker A:Mary's song, also known as the Magnificant, is one of the most revolutionary texts in scriptures.
Speaker A:It's not a gentle lullaby, but a manifesto of radical economic and social upheaval.
Speaker A:She prophesies about tyrants being overthrown, the hungry being fed and the wealthy being sent away.
Speaker A:This is liberation theology from the lips of a teenage girl.
Speaker A:The third point to ponder is about divine action through unlikely messengers.
Speaker A:God's choice to work through an unwed teenage mother and an elderly barren woman challenges social hierarchies and expectations.
Speaker A:Their stories remind us that divine transformation often comes through these society Marginalized or dismissed, both women became prophets who proclaim God's preference for the oppressed.
Speaker A:Here's your action step for the day.
Speaker A:Identify a woman led organization in your community that works for social justice, particularly one that may support marginalized women.
Speaker A:Learn about their work, about their mission and share their story either in groups that you're a part of, perhaps on social media and then find some concrete way to support their mission.
Speaker A:Maybe it's through volunteer work or your financial support or amplifying their message.
Speaker A:And like Mary and Elizabeth, create networks of support that challenge systematic injustice.
Speaker A:We're going to pray in just a moment, but I did want you to know that we do have a great resource for you that I think you're going to find helpful.
Speaker A:I know you're going to find that helpful in your own day to day Bible study.
Speaker A:Indeed it is called the ABC 1, 2, 3 Bible study method.
Speaker A:It will help you in your everyday Bible study which you use in complement to the daily Bible refresh.
Speaker A:So what I want you to do is go ON over to voiceofgoddaily.com and there's a place there, a place to click and the link you follow will take you just a way to free get a free Download of the ABC123 Bible Study Method.
Speaker A:Just go on over now.
Speaker A:Voiceofgoddaily.com let's pray.
Speaker A:O Divine God, Divine Mother Spirit, who moves through the stories of women, who speaks through voices society tries to silence, who turns the world upside down through unexpected prophets.
Speaker A:Be with us now and give us Elizabeth's wisdom to recognize holy resistance and help us to recognize Mary's courage to sing a revolutionary song.
Speaker A:Help us create communities of mutual support where the hungry are fed, where the powerful learned humility, where justice rolls down like waves of mercy.
Speaker A:And may we, like Mary and Elizabeth, dare believe in something seemingly impossible and work hard to make it real in the spirit of revolutionary love.
Speaker A:Amen.
Speaker A:As the spirit of love and care and concern and sharing that I commit to you.
Speaker A:I'll be with you again here tomorrow here on Daily Bible Refresh.
Speaker A:I usually drop these episodes before 6:00am Eastern Time and we have a goal of getting the audible word of God into two millionaires.
Speaker A: That's a million people by: Speaker A:I would really love for you to join me in this mission.
Speaker A:Just a couple things you need to do.
Speaker A:Join me every day, subscribe to the podcast, tell someone else about it.
Speaker A:When you do that helps us to get to reach our mission.
Speaker A:Until tomorrow, my good, good friends, remember that God's loyal love doesn't run out.
Speaker A:His merciful love hasn't dried up, it's creating created new.
Speaker A:Every morning.
