St Elizabeth is one of many nameless or nearly nameless people in the Bible, the kind whose names appear late in the credits of movies, if they appear at all, just below “man in bar” and “assistant key grip.” Yet it is part of the humor of God that these people wind up being the ones whose words and witness frame our knowledge of the saving plan of God.

We who are criticizing the disciples for being dunces have a terrific advantage that the disciples didn’t have until after the Resurrection, viz., all of us who have been baptized and confirmed have received the Holy Spirit, as Jesus promised.

Separate what must never be separated, and chaos follows.

It is important not just to listen to the thoughts of great scholars on the Bible, but just as much to think and talk about the Bible with peers, discussing and striving with each other until some fresh insight pops out.

The disciples have seen Jesus do incredible works of power, they believe He has the words of eternal life, and now, when He says He is leaving, they don’t even want to know what the plan is?

This perfect love relationship between God the Father and God the Son is what we humans know as the Holy Spirit. And it is the Holy Spirit that Jesus says He will send to us.