An angel of the Lord appeared to Mary and said:
“The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be holy; he will be called the Son of God” (Luke 1:35).
The Holy Spirit came upon Mary, and the power—the dunamis—of God overshadowed her. As a result, she gave birth to a Son who is called Immanuel, meaning “God with us.” Mary became the mother of the Lord, as confirmed by Elizabeth:
“And why has this happened to me, that the mother of my Lord comes to me?” (Luke 1:43).
Saturated with the Holy Spirit
Mary was filled with the Holy Spirit to such an extent that she embarked on a prophetic journey to visit her relative, Elizabeth, in a Judean town. This visit was significant in fulfilling the words of the Angel Gabriel to Zechariah:
“Even before his birth, he will be filled with the Holy Spirit” (Luke 1:15).
Upon Mary’s arrival, her greeting caused a divine reaction:
“When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the child leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit” (Luke 1:41).
Both Elizabeth and her unborn son, John the Baptist, were filled with the Holy Spirit. This moment exemplifies the overflowing presence of the Spirit in Mary’s life. Elizabeth exclaimed:
“Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb” (Luke 1:42).
A Prophetic Encounter
This meeting between Mary and Elizabeth was more than a family reunion—it was a prophetic encounter. Elizabeth’s exclamation, followed by Mary’s Magnificat (“My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior…” – Luke 1:46-48), reveals the power of speaking Spirit-inspired words to one another.
If Christians today embraced such prophetic utterances in their daily lives, the world would be a brighter place. Notably, this encounter did not happen during a prayer meeting but in an ordinary setting, demonstrating that the Holy Spirit can manifest in every aspect of life.
The Wedding Feast at Cana
At the wedding feast in Cana, the Holy Spirit inspired Mary to utter a timeless word of wisdom:
“Do whatever He tells you” (John 2:5).
This simple yet profound statement paved the way for Jesus’ first miracle—turning water into wine. Through these words, Mary left a legacy for all generations, teaching us to trust and obey Christ fully.
Standing Strong at the Cross
On the Mount of Calvary, Mary displayed remarkable strength. When most of Jesus’ disciples fled, Mary stood firm under the cross, witnessing her Son’s suffering. Despite the immense pain, she was strengthened by the Holy Spirit to endure this heart-wrenching moment.
Mary and Pentecost
On the day of Pentecost, Mary was present with the disciples. According to Holy Tradition, she encouraged and supported them during their confusion and fear. Filled once again with the Holy Spirit, Mary spoke in tongues, experiencing the fullness of the Spirit alongside the disciples.
Conclusion
Mary’s life serves as a testament to the transformative power of the Holy Spirit. From the Annunciation to Pentecost, the Holy Spirit guided, empowered, and sustained her. Her journey reminds us of the importance of living a Spirit-filled life, speaking prophetic words, and trusting in God’s plans.
May we, like Mary, remain open to the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives, trusting Him to lead us through every season.
