They rejoiced with her

“Her neighbours and relatives heard that the Lord had shown his great mercy toward her, and they rejoiced with her.” (LK 1: 58)

We are not alone because we are in relationships, and whatever happens to us can be shared with others, and whatever happens to others can have some impact on us. A happy and smiling spouse probably will produce a different effect than a “fast and furious” one. When God gives us a grace, He sees it in a broader perspective—when you change, your “neighbors and relatives” also can change. What they need to change is to see it or “hear that the Lord had shown his great mercy toward” us, and they can “rejoice with” us.

“O King of all nations and keystone of the Church: come and save man, whom you formed from the dust!” (Gospel Acclamation)