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.
We celebrate the Annunciation in March and will celebrate the Birth of John the Baptist in June. So it makes sense to celebrate Mary’s visit with John’s mother, Elizabeth, halfway between those two events.
Saint Luke places this story strategically between Gabriel’s appearances to Zechariah and Mary on the one hand, and the births of John and Jesus on the other. Both story streams, that of John and that of Jesus, converge in the meeting of Mary and Elizabeth. They diverge again with the birth of the boys. First we hear about the mini crisis of John’s unusual name, and then several stories of Jesus’s birth and childhood.
From that perspective the Visitation seems more important than the Birth of Jesus. It is a moment of sublime joy as both women realize what is happening. One shouts her joyful welcome and the other sings her grateful response.
Who are these women? They are the faithful Church: inspired, expectant, and jubilant at the coming of the Lord. The Church which is born and appears at Pentecost is present in Spirit when Mary arrives in Jerusalem. She and her cousin are exhilarated by the mighty wind which will sweep over the turbulent waters of the Roman Empire.
Catholics invite the Maid of Galilee to visit. Our homes have images of her and usually in a prominent place. My dad, always clever with his hands, fashioned a corner shelf in the dining room wide enough to hold a small statue, with horizontal pegs. We hung our rosaries on these pegs, each one to its assigned place; and gathered on most nights to finish the day in prayer. I think of that family gathering as, fifty years later, my family still gathers “at the drop of a hat” for birthdays, funerals, and holidays. We’ve had our differences but none so important as to keep us apart. I credit the Mother for that.
Invite Mary to your home and into your heart. And don’t be surprised when she makes it a tidier, nicer place to live.
No comments:
Post a Comment
I love to write. This blog helps me to meditate on the Word of God, and I hope to make some contribution to our contemplations of God's Mighty Works.
Ordinarily, I write these reflections two or three weeks in advance of their publication. I do not intend to comment on current events.
I understand many people prefer gender-neutral references to "God." I don't disagree with them but find that language impersonal, unappealing and tasteless. When I refer to "God" I think of the One whom Jesus called "Abba" and "Father", and I would not attempt to improve on Jesus' language.
You're welcome to add a thought or raise a question.