Zephaniah 3:14-18 or Romans 12:9-16 / Luke 1:39-56
Whether it is for the purpose of survey or statics or other reasons, people are often categorized into age groups.
While it might be useful to know what the people of a particular age bracket think, inevitably age groups also indicates age gaps or even generation gaps.
And with age gaps or generation gaps comes the tension and the difference of the generations.
But in the gospel, we hear of two representatives of different age gaps or even generation gaps being united in heart and mind by the Spirit of love.
We see Elizabeth, who seemed too advanced in years to have a child, but destined to bear the last prophet of an era or age that was passing away.
We hear of Mary who came to visit Elizabeth, Mary who was rather tender in age and not expecting to have a child so soon, but already bearing the One who was to bring about an age that would not pass away.
Mary visited Elizabeth; Elizabeth rejoiced and honoured Mary with the title "Mother of my Lord"; John the Baptist leapt for joy in Elizabeth's womb; and Mary glorified the Lord.
Even in the womb of Mary, Jesus already showed what He came to do for us.
Jesus came to bring all peoples together and to unite them in the love of God.
He brought Mary and Elizabeth together and united them deeper in love.
Let us also ask Mary to visit our homes, our office, our workplace, our church even, that all gaps, be it age or generation be removed so that we will be united in mind and in heart in the Spirit of Love.