Today the church recalls the account from Luke’s gospel reminding us of Mary’s visitation to Elizabeth. The second joyful mystery after the Annunciation from the angelic messenger is the Visitation where two holy women converse in great joy.
Lk. Ch.1:39-45:
During those days Mary set out and traveled to the hill country in haste to a town of Judah, where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the infant leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth, filled with the holy Spirit, cried out in a loud voice and said, “Most blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. And how does this happen to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For at the moment the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the infant in my womb leaped for joy. Blessed are you who believed that what was spoken to you by the Lord would be fulfilled.”
How many instances in life do we take a visit with neighbors, friends and family for granted? Are we looking at our watch or cellular device instead of being present in the moment? It is easy to become distracted by our selfish desires and concerns. By being present and seeing how God is always working in our midst can we allow the Holy Spirit to be present as it was with the encounter between Elizabeth and Mary.
We should reflect upon the virtue of humility in our encounters with others. Such a virtue is difficult to master, however it takes a conscious effort to rid ourself from the opposite extreme of selfish pride. When we converse with our neighbor, do we allow our thoughts, actions and conversations to be about others, or ourselves? Mary at hearing the news that Elizabeth was with child went in haste to see her, casting aside any concerns about her recent divine experience with the angel. Mary’s humility at saying yes to God to be the Theotokos (God bearer) and concern for her close kinswoman Elizabeth is an example we should strive for. Love of thy neighbor is another meditation to contemplate with this visitation experience for the encounter with both is beautifully portrayed by the gospel writer Luke.
Mary was full of grace and the Holy Spirit. Her Magnificat shows us her humility and love for her neighbor Elizabeth in that her only response can be one of joy for what an awesome God we have:
Lk. 1:46-55
My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord,
my spirit rejoices in God my Savior
for he has looked with favor on his lowly servant.
From this day all generations will call me blessed:
the Almighty has done great things for me,
and holy is his Name.
He has mercy on those who fear him
in every generation.
He has shown the strength of his arm,
he has scattered the proud in their conceit.
He has cast down the mighty from their thrones,
and has lifted up the lowly.
He has filled the hungry with good things,
and the rich he has sent away empty.
He has come to the help of his servant Israel
for he remembered his promise of mercy,
the promise he made to our fathers,
to Abraham and his children forever.
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