Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Father Todd Belardi, LC, May 31, 2007

Luke 1: 39-56
During those days 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, and Elizabeth, filled with the holy Spirit, cried out in a loud voice and said, "Most blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. And how does this happen to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For at the moment the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the infant in my womb leaped for joy. Blessed are you who believed that what was spoken to you by the Lord would be fulfilled." And Mary said: "My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord; my spirit rejoices in God my savior. For he has looked upon his handmaid´s lowliness; behold, from now on will all ages call me blessed. The Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is his name. His mercy is from age to age to those who fear him. He has shown might with his arm, dispersed the arrogant of mind and heart. He has thrown down the rulers from their thrones but lifted up the lowly. The hungry he has filled with good things; the rich he has sent away empty. He has helped Israel his servant, remembering his mercy, according to his promise to our fathers, to Abraham and to his descendants forever." Mary remained with her about three months and then returned to her home.

Introductory Prayer: Mary, I turn to you today to learn from your example. You had such a beautiful relationship with God. Teach me to pray with you and to be in the presence of the Lord. You show me such a powerful way to be close to Christ. Help me to imitate your self surrender to the Father’s will.

Petition: Lord Jesus, I give myself completely to you. Give me the grace to know you more, to love you more fully and to follow you with greater surrender.

1. Leaping for Joy
John is a special man. He leaps for joy in his mother’s womb. He sees Jesus in the Jordan as the one God has sent. He leads the first disciples to follow Jesus. He has never met him, yet he knows him. He knows him because he has always reserved a place in his heart for an encounter with the living God. He later recognizes him because that open part in his heart is his only concern: to encounter the living God.

2. Blessed among All
Mary is the most blessed of all men and women. God called her to a special mission, true. But she responded to this special mission. Abraham was similar in this sense: God had promised him, “Your descendants will be as numerous as the stars” (Genesis 26:4). He believed even though everything seemed contrary to God’s word. We become blessed, meaning we find favor with God, when we surrender to his plan for us. This always goes far beyond ourselves, reaching those around us.

3. God Is Mighty
It is God who works wonders. We are only his instruments. Yet, it is a beautiful thing to be an instrument. To help others understand a problem, to lead someone to the truth of faith, to be an example of fidelity to my commitments, to have God’s grace flow through my words, to partake in God’s mission: All this is truly a gift. Just as he chose Mary to be his instrument to bring his Son to the world, today he chooses us as instruments of his grace and his message of peace.

Conversation with Christ: Lord Jesus, help me to be your instrument. I want to leap for joy before your presence, and I want others to leap for joy in finding you.

Resolution: I will speak to someone I don’t know about my faith.