マリアは天使による受胎告知を受け、社会的な評判を失うリスクや不安を抱えながらも、神の働きを共有できる親類エリザベトのもとへ急いで向かいました。エリザベトはマリアの挨拶を聞くと、聖霊に満たされ、胎内の子（ヨハネ）が喜び踊り、「主がおっしゃったことは必ず実現すると信じた方は何と幸いでしょう」とマリアを祝福しました。この出会いは、マリアの孤独な信仰の決断を確信へと変えました。私たちも一人ではなく、神の言葉を信じ、互いに励まし合い、支え合っていく友との交わり（教会生活）が必要とされます。

After receiving the angel’s annunciation, Mary hurried to the home of her relative Elizabeth, carrying both the risk of losing her social standing and deep anxieties, yet seeking someone with whom she could share what God was doing. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, she was filled with the Holy Spirit, and the child in her womb—John—leaped for joy. Elizabeth blessed Mary, saying, “Blessed is she who believed that the Lord’s words to her would be fulfilled.”

This encounter transformed Mary’s solitary act of faith into a deep assurance. In the same way, we are not meant to walk alone. We, too, need fellowship with companions—life within the church—who believe God’s word with us, encourage one another, and support one another along the way.