Sometimes we give in these encounters, and sometimes we receive. We all live and thrive in relation to others. Ultimately, the Visitation reminds us that no one is an island. Pope John Paul II acknowledged this in a 1997 homily when he reflected on the Visitation and said, “In this act of human solidarity, Mary demonstrated that authentic charity which grows within us when Christ is present.” Remember, too, that Mary is carrying Christ inside her, which gives another layer of meaning to her decision to offer support to her cousin. Sometimes, our physical presence is the best gift we can give another person. Mary’s trip also demonstrates the call of community. Mary must have been bursting to talk to a woman who could personally understand her excitement, her wonder, and probably her nervousness, too. ![]() She’s also learned that her cousin Elizabeth, believed to be too old to conceive, is expecting as well. Why does she do it? Well, think about what has just happened: She’s been told that she is pregnant by the power of the Holy Spirit. ![]() ![]() For Mary, the trip would have been especially grueling: She traveled to a town 80 miles away, likely on a donkey, without the comfort of paved roads, air conditioning, or shock absorbers. Jesus, the child that Mary is carrying, is recognized by the child in Elizabeth's womb - John leaps in recognition of the one whom both mothers revere as 'Lord' (John himself being of miraculous origin from an elderly mother).Īnd above and beyond what is happening to each mother, earthshaking events are in train - the Lord (long-awaited) has finally come to visit his people, to be victorious over enemies, to exult with joy over those who are his own.Q: Why does Mary visit her cousin Elizabeth? It doesn’t make sense to me for a pregnant woman to take such a long journey.Īny woman who has traveled while pregnant can tell you that it isn’t fun. Mary and Elizabeth outdo one another, as it were, in giving thanks.īut this particular case is special, unique. The Holy Spirit is the way in which God reigns within each of us.īirth, the gift of life from God, fruitfulness was always sacred to the people of Israel, and the mothers had a special place down through sacred history – as the bearers of life. The Holy Spirit is God's gift to us to enable us to know and experience the indwelling presence of God and the power of his kingdom. Even before the birth of the Messiah, John the Baptist pointed to his coming and leaped for joy in the womb of his mother as the Holy Spirit revealed to him the presence of the King to be born. What a marvelous wonder for God to fill not only Elizabeth's heart with his Holy Spirit but the child in her womb as well. What is the significance of Mary's visit to her cousin Elizabeth before the birth of Jesus? When Elizabeth greeted Mary and recognized the Messiah in Mary's womb, they were filled with the Holy Spirit and with joyful anticipation of the fulfillment of God's promise to give a Savior. Do you know the joy of a life given over to God in faith and trust? The Lord gives us a supernatural joy that enables us to bear any sorrow or pain and which neither life nor death can take away. Jesus promised his disciples that "no one will take your joy from you" (John 16:22). Her sorrow did not diminish her joy because it was fueled by her faith, hope, and trust in God and his promises. Mary received both a crown of joy and a cross of sorrow. Anselm, a great teacher and Archbishop of Canterbury (1033-1109), spoke these words in a sermon: "Without God's Son nothing could exist without Mary's son, nothing could be redeemed." To be chosen by God is an awesome privilege and responsibility. ![]() That blessedness also would become a sword that pierced her heart as her Son died upon the cross. Mary was given the "blessedness" of being the mother of the Son of God. There is a certain paradox for those "blessed" by the Lord. December 21, Tuesday of the Fourth Week of Adventĭaily Readings: Song 2: 8-14 & Luke 1:39-45
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |