Readings
I - Zeph. 3: 14-18
II - Is. 12: 2-6
III - Lk. 1: 39-56
VISITATION OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY (Feast)
Today the Church celebrates the feast of the visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary - the merging moment of the Old and the New Testament. The meeting of the two women: one, the mother of the Proclaimer of Salvation and two, the mother of the Promised One of Salvation. Mary hastens to help her cousin and Elizabeth receives the Mother of the Lord with great honour. Filled with grace and Holy Spirit, one identifies the role of the other, marvels at the work of the Lord and Mary gives expression to their joy in singing out the Magnificat.
The visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary becomes an occasion of greeting, praising, exulting, thanking and magnifying the mighty works of the Lord. The visitation also becomes a blessing to Elizabeth and humble service to Mother Mary. In this light let us reflect upon our visitations to our beloved friends, neighbours, kith and kin. If such visits turn out to be moments of joy, love and sharing, thank the Lord and praise him. If not, pray the Lord to make them a moment of blessing to each other. May our Blessed Mother turn all our meetings to be moments of God’s favour, grace and blessings. Let our mind and heart resonate with the prayer: “Mother Mary, Pray for us”.
