John Desing csc –
Readings: Rom 12:9-16b; Lk 1:39-56
The visit of Mary to Elizabeth is not just two women meeting together but the babes in their wombs also meeting each other. This is an extraordinary visit of Mary to Elizabeth because it entails human and divine relationships at the same time.
From the human point of view Mary’s greetings to her cousin brought joy to the family and on the other hand, Elizabeth’s hospitality enhances the joy of meeting each other. From the divine point of view, Mary brought Jesus to her cousin’s house during this visit. And Elizabeth also recognizes the greatness of Mary as the Mother of God. Elizabeth was overwhelmed by this kind gesture of her cousin Mary to visit her in this most crucial moment of her life.
The feast of the visitation also highlights the role of the Holy Spirit in the life of Mary and Elizabeth. Mary conceived a child with the power of the Holy Spirit and in the presence of Mary, Elizabeth is filled with the Holy Spirit and hence she exclaimed with a loud cry, “Blessed are you among women.”
Being sensitive and hospitable to others should be our primary concern so that we become agents of God’s love and compassion. How sensitive are we to the senior citizens, the grandparents, or the aging parents, and those who need our consoling presence?
St Paul would remind us to contribute to the needs of the saints and to show hospitality all the time. This is possible only when we are willing to open our hearts to welcome others into our space. It demands some personal sacrifice to go beyond our comfort zones in order to help someone. Let us become agents of joy and hope and not carriers of the virus of gossiping when we meet people.