Mary hastened to bring hope to her cousin – and the world
Reflections on the readings for the Feast of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary (May 31, 2018): ZEP 3:14-18 or ROM 12:9-16; Isaiah 12:2-3, 4, 5-6; LK 1:39-56
MISSIO offers “Preaching Mission,” as a homily help, providing connections to mission from the readings of Sundays, Feast Days and Holy Days.
At the feast of the Annunciation we met the Blessed Virgin Mary when God’s messenger said He was calling her to bear His Son.
This faithful and loving young woman immediately entrusted herself to His will and took her place at the forefront of salvation history. Today we watch her go to her cousin Elizabeth who is also carrying a baby vital to the divine plan. “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. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the infant leaped in her womb” (Luke 1:39-41). The presence of Jesus within His mother filled the one we would later know as John the Baptist with the Holy Spirit – and delivered him from original sin.
Mary and Elizabeth clearly rejoiced that God was sending His Son and His Son’s messenger through them. For thousands of years the Jewish people had awaited this coming of their Messiah. Now He was truly with them – in Mary’s womb. And in time, the whole world would know that Jesus had come to save all people of every nation and every generation from sin and death. This feast of the Visitation is a beautiful reminder of hope and joy in God’s design for each of His beloved children.
