Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Luke 1: 39-56
In those days Mary set out and went with haste to a Judean town in the hill country, where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the child leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit and exclaimed with a loud cry, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb.
And why has this happened to me, that the mother of my Lord comes to me? For as soon as I heard the sound of your greeting, the child in my womb leaped for joy. And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her by the Lord.”
And Mary said, “My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has looked with favor on the lowliness of his servant. Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed; for the Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is his name.
His mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation. He has shown strength with his arm; he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts. He has brought down the powerful from their thrones, and lifted up the lowly; he has filled the hungry with good things, and sent the rich away empty. He has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy, according to the promise he made to our ancestors, to Abraham and to his descendants forever.”
And Mary remained with her about three months and then returned to her home.
New Revised Standard Version, copyright 1989, by the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved. USCCB approved. http://www.usccb.org/bible/approved-translations
The Greatness of the Lord
Perhaps Mary’s family was upset. Maybe the local gossip was getting hard to take. For any number of reasons Mary set out for Elizabeth and Zachary’s house in Judah. It was a place of warm welcome as Mary and Elizabeth shared the events of Mary’s pregnancy. While few words are written down, we can imagine the frank and loving conversation between these two cousins, each pregnant with a special child.
Mary’s Magnificat has given hope to mothers and families down through the ages. Take some moments to read it over slowly. What words jump out for your attention today? How is it that the Lord is doing “great things” in your life?
—The Jesuit Prayer Team
Prayer
Holy Mary, mother of God, pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death. Amen.