These are just some thoughts from part of my class in Mariology. Take a close look at the greeting given the Virgin Mary and the great joy that is spoken of by the prophet Zephaniah. What came to mind for me is that although Luke doesn't describe with much detail the joy experienced by Mary, Zephaniah gives us a deep insight into her inner world even though he wrote inspired by the Holy Spirit centuries before Mary's birth.
The greeting that Gabriel gave to Mary has a parallel with the prophet Zephaniah. Zephaniah has an incredible hope and speaks of the Daughter of Zion, which can be fulfilled most fully in Mary.
Luke 1
28 And coming to her, he said, “Hail, favored one! The Lord is with you.” 29 But she was greatly troubled at what was said and pondered what sort of greeting this might be. 30 Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. 31 Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name him Jesus. 32
The Prophet Zephaniah 3:14-18
"14 Shout for joy, daughter Zion! sing joyfully, Israel! Be glad and exult with all your heart, daughter Jerusalem! 15 The LORD has removed the judgment against you, he has turned away your enemies; The King of Israel, the LORD, is in your midst, you have no further misfortune to fear. 16 On that day, it shall be said to Jerusalem: Do not fear, Zion, do not be discouraged! 17 The LORD, your God, is in your midst, a mighty savior, Who will rejoice over you with gladness, and renew you in his love, Who will sing joyfully because of you, 18 as on festival days."
There are these themes found in Zephaniah, Zechariah, and Joel. There is a tremendous amount of joy that is contagious and should be shared. Joy is not the absence of suffering but the presence of God. These New Testament authors give us the secret of Christianity that there is this incredible joy to be shared. If we haven't found this Christian joy then the encounter with the Lord Jesus has not be efficacious. So in the encounter that we see with Elizabeth and Mary, we have an invitation to enter into this Christian joy.
