Luke: My Lord

In those days, Mary set out and went with haste to a Judean town in the hill country, where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth.  When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the child leaped in her womb.  And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit and exclaimed with a loud cry, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb.  And why has this happened to me, that the mother of my Lord comes to me?” 

[Luke 1:39-43 NRSV]

Lord n. [ME - loaf keeper]

1 a person having great power and authority; ruler, master

I love to read about Tudor England.  The characters that populated 15^th-16^th century Britain are very vivid—almost overblown.  The king is the central figure of the monarchy, and all subjects call him, “My Lord King.”  This is a true statement, for all power was invested in the throne: the people were simply living pawns in the king’s chess game—especially those in his inner court.  At a whim, he could promote, demote, or cut off their head. You’d think people would be afraid to serve one who could destroy them at a moment’s notice.  Instead, the various families of the titled were constantly flocking, preening, fighting and posturing to win a place at court.  When the people acknowledged the king as “my Lord,” they were swearing fealty to Britain [land], to the throne [government], and to the human being who embodied the monarchy [king].

Mary arrived at Elizabeth’s home without warning.  No word of her pregnancy had spread all the way to her cousin.  However, when Elizabeth heard Mary’s welcome greeting, the child in her womb stirred vigorously—leaped for joy! Luke says that the Holy Spirit came upon Elizabeth, and she broke out in praise and pronouncement, proclaiming Mary as the mother of my Lord.  With this statement, Elizabeth announced her fealty – fidelity, loyalty, allegiance and obedience – to the unborn child in Mary’s womb:  Jesus the Christ, the Messiah.

There's a tumult of joy o'er the wonderful birth,

For the virgin's sweet boy is the Lord of the earth.

Aye! The star rains its fire while the beautiful sing

For the manger of Bethlehem cradles a King.