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| The Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary |
According to Luke's Gospel, Mary, immediately after being told of the forthcoming birth of Jesus, went to visit her cousin Elizabeth. Elizabeth was also pregnant and her child was to be John the Baptist. This famous visit was important for several reasons. When Elizabeth saw Mary, the baby leaped in her womb, not an uncommon experience in pregnancy but in this case regarded as a supernatural occurrence, signifying little John's excitement at the presence of the Savior whom he was to proclaim. Elizabeth was the first to recognize Mary as the Mother of the Lord, exclaiming "Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb!" (Luke 1:42).
The moving and eloquent canticle, Magnificat, is recorded by Luke at this point: "My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior" (Luke 1:46-47). It is called the "Song of Mary" and although it could hardly have been a stenographer's report of what the Blessed Mother said at the time, it most surely reflects her sentiments and the kind of response she must have expressed.
In the story of the Visitation, Mary teaches us not only how to give praise to God, but also how to respond to God’s love in action.
Mary’s cooperation first teaches us the way of obedience to God’s will. “May it be done to me according to your word” (Luke 1:37) is the prayer of every man and woman seeking to live the Christian way of life. Then, her spoken commitment is confirmed in action as she moves – with haste – to visit her cousin, who herself has experienced the miracle of a pregnancy that is important to God’s plan for salvation. In the joy of the cousins’ greeting we are given part of one of the most beloved prayers in the Catholic tradition – the Hail Mary, “blessed are you among women and blessed is the fruit of your womb” (Lk 1:42). In hearing Elizabeth’s response, we also become witnesses to the first time in Scripture that Mary’s faith is praised.
This two-fold response of faith and action is a lesson for us that faith is inseparable from charity. Hearing God’s Word invites us to respond not just in praise but also in loving acts such as Mary’s assistance to her cousin as Elizabeth neared the end of her pregnancy. Mary teaches us to go out of ourselves on a journey of sacrifice, love and service, so that as pilgrims on the road, we may sing the wonders that God has done in us as he promised.
In this, Mary becomes an example of Christian virtue. As Saint Ambrose taught, the Mother of God is a model of the Church in the order of faith, charity and perfect union with Christ (Lumen Gentium 63, see also Deus Caritas Est, 41-42). Among the members of the Church, she stands out as eminent in holiness. Catholics of every rank and condition can find in Mary a model of faith, obedience, purity, poverty of spirit and generous love.
Father in heaven, who chose in wondrous grace the Blessed Virgin Mary to be the mother of your incarnate Son: Grant that, as we honor the exaltation of her lowliness, so we may follow the example of her humble obedience to your will; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who now lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, in glory everlasting. Amen
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Father in heaven, by your grace the virgin mother of your incarnate Son was blessed in bearing him, but still more blessed in keeping your word: Grant us who honor the exaltation of her lowliness to follow the example of her devotion to your will; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen
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