Today is the Feast of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary. We recall when Mary, who was pregnant with the Lord Jesus, went to stay with her cousin, Elizabeth, who was pregnant with John the Baptist. There are two options for a first reading. I recommend that you read them both. You’ll be glad you did! The Gospel reading is the story of the Visitation from Luke 1.
The first half of today’s Gospel reading shows us the reaction of Elizabeth when Mary showed up at her home. And not only Elizabeth’s reaction, but that of the child in her womb. The second half of the Gospel reading is Mary’s Magnificat. “My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord; my spirit rejoices in God my Savior.” It is a beautiful prayer, and one that we should pray often.
The Visitation was not just Mary stopping by for a cup of coffee and some chat time. Mary (and Jesus) stayed with Elizabeth and her family for three months. In other words, Elizabeth and her family opened their home to Mary and Jesus. Are we doing the same? Or do we only allow Jesus and Mary in for a cup of coffee, a brief visit, perhaps for an hour on Sunday or just long enough to say grace at meal time? Let’s pray that Jesus and Mary will always be welcome in our homes and in our hearts. And that, like John the Baptist in the womb, we will leap for joy at the presence of Jesus and His Mother.
Father, may we open the doors of our homes and our hearts to Jesus and Mary. With her, we rejoice in God, our Savior. Amen.
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