Normally on May 31st (since it falls on a Sunday this year, Pentecost takes precedence), we celebrate the feast of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary to St. Elizabeth. Shortly after Gabriel the Archangel visited Mary to announce that she will become the Mother of God (the solemnity of the Annunciation), Mary made haste to her cousin Elizabeth who was miraculously pregnant with John the Baptist.
Both women had parallel pregnancies. Zechariah, Elizabeth’s husband had also been greeted by Gabriel and was promised that Elizabeth, who was thought to be barren, would bear a son. Mary, was told that she would give a virgin birth to the Son of God. Though both pregnancies seemed impossible, the Lord made true to his promises, and salvation came forth.
Mary, though pregnant herself, made haste to help and care for Elizabeth. We reflect on the mystery of the Visitation in the Joyful Mysteries of the Rosary. The fruit of reflecting on this mystery is Love of Neighbor. Mary continues to show her love for others, coming forth from her immense love of God.
Sometimes we can be turned off from the idea of helping others when we are struggling ourselves. Mary reminds us to pour out and to give even out of our necessity.
Mary makes haste to tend to her cousin Elizabeth, and as she arrives, Elizabeth is filled with the Holy Spirit, and John the Baptist leaps with joy in her womb. Elizabeth acclaims,
“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.” (Luke 1:42-44).
Mary, filled with both humility and magnanimity, proclaims the greatness of the LORD in her Canticle. (Luke 1: 46-55).
“My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord;my spirit rejoices in God my savior.
For he has looked upon his handmaid’s lowliness; behold, from now on will all ages call me blessed.
The Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is his name.
His mercy is from age to age to those who fear him.
He has shown might with his arm, dispersed the arrogant of mind and heart.
He has thrown down the rulers from their thrones but lifted up the lowly.
The hungry he has filled with good things; the rich he has sent away empty.
He has helped Israel his servant, remembering his mercy, according to his promise to our fathers,
to Abraham and to his descendants forever.”
Below is a beautiful rendition of the Canticle of Mary:
Mary remained with Elizabeth about three months and then returned to her home.
Our Lady models for us the virtue of hope. She knows both her dependence on God and the great things that he can do in working through each of us. She trust in the promises that God has made, and she gives completely of herself to others.
How can we give out of our necessity? How can we love our neighbor even when we feel like there is not much to give?
Additional Resources:
Here is a super cool and brief Scriptural study of the Visitation account in Luke: Mary’s May Crowningfrom Ascension Press
