THE WORD BECAME FLESH

Wednesday of the Eighth Week in Ordinary Time, 2023

Zeph 3:14-18a

(Ps) Is12

Luke1:39-56

Feast of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary

And how does this happen to me

The gospel reading (Lk 1:39-56) depicts Mary setting out from Nazareth in Galilee into the hill country of Judah to visit her cousin Elizabeth. She set out in response to the message of the angel Gabriel that Elizabeth was six months pregnant. Even though she was with a child, Mary set out on a journey of love to give support to her older cousin. Mary brought herself to Elizabeth but she also brought Jesus, the Lord, whom she was carrying in her womb. Mary graced Elizabeth for her journey. As a result of Mary’s visit, we are told that Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. 

When any one of us visits someone in their need, we can be a source of grace and blessing to them. Mary not only gave to Elizabeth but she also received from her. She was blessed by Elizabeth. ‘Blessed are you among women… blessed is she who believed’. It is often the way that when we visit someone we not only grace them but we are graced by them, we not only bless them but we are blessed by them. We discover that in giving we receive more than we give. When two people of faith meet, there is always a third person present and that is the Lord. Both Mary and Elizabeth show themselves to be very aware of the Lord. 

Elizabeth recognizes Mary as the mother of the Lord and Mary proclaims the greatness of the Lord in response to Elizabeth’s blessing of her. We can learn from Mary and Elizabeth to be attentive to that hidden dimension of our meetings and encounters, the presence of the Lord. The meeting between Mary and Elizabeth shows us what is best in any human encounter, a moment of mutual giving and receiving in a spirit of attentiveness to the Lord’s presence.

Let us pray: Lord Jesus, your death brought life and freedom. Make me a servant of your love, that I may seek to serve rather than be served and share in your victory over sin, suffering, and death. Amen.

+Remain blessed