Through His greatness and goodness the Almighty fulfills the promise He made to His people
Reflections on the readings for the Feast of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary (May 31, 2021): ZEP 3:14-18; IS 12:2-3,4,5-6; LK 1:39-56
MISSIO offers “Mission In Scripture” to nurture a missionary heart, providing reflections on the missionary themes in the readings of Sundays, Feast Days and Holy Days.
"God indeed is my salvation; I am confident and unafraid. For the LORD is my strength and my might, and he has been my salvation... And you will say on that day: give thanks to the LORD, acclaim his name; Among the nations make known his deeds, proclaim how exalted is his name." (Isaiah 12:2, 4)
The Feast of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary celebrates her meeting with St. Elizabeth who was a relative of hers. It the time, Elizabeth had been carrying her son John about six months. Mary had only recently embraced God’s will announced to her by the angel Gabriel and was now bearing Jesus through the power of the Holy Spirit. As she hurried to see Elizabeth, she certainly prayed, possibly even with these words: “God indeed is my savior; I am confident and unafraid. My strength and my courage is the Lord, and He has been my savior.… Give thanks to the Lord, acclaim His name; among the nations make known His deeds, proclaim how exalted is His name” (Isaiah 12:2, 4). As a profoundly loyal daughter of Abraham, Mary wanted only what God wanted – both for herself and for the world. So she rejoiced in her Son who was also her Lord. Elizabeth, too, welcomed the child in her own womb. John was called to be a servant of God in a most particular way, by preparing the people of God for the coming of their Messiah. But now, in the home of Elizabeth and her husband Zechariah, the presence of this Christ, in His mother’s womb, would transform the soul of John who would one day be the Baptist. The original sin that has marked all people since Adam and Eve was taken away from him. While Jesus Himself and the Blessed Virgin Mary were conceived without this stain, only John had it removed in this singular way.
In the reading from St. Luke today, we hear Mary say the prayer we have come to call the Magnificat. She praises and thanks God not only for what He has done for her, but for all others as well. She wants Elizabeth and the whole world to know that through His greatness and goodness the Almighty is fulfilling the promise He made to His people – the promise of mercy.
Suggested missionary action: Let us pray, asking the Blessed Virgin Mary’s guidance in seeking people who need our attention and care. We can also pray for greater awareness and courage in sharing God’s loving-kindness with others as we show them the light of Christ.
