To read the texts click on the texts: Zeph 3:14-18; Rom 12:9-16; Lk 1:39-56
The
Feast of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary to her kinswoman Elizabeth
was begun by St. Bonaventure among the Franciscans in 1263 C.E, and became a
universal Feast in 1389 C.E., during the papacy of Urban VI. It celebrates the
visit of Mary to Elizabeth after the angel Gabriel announced to Mary that she
would be the mother of Jesus.
The
call of the first reading chosen for the feast of today is a call to rejoice.
This rejoicing is for many reasons. The first of these is that judgement has
been taken away. The Lord is now in the midst of his people. This being in the
midst of his people is confirmed by the Gospel text of today where Jesus is
already in the womb of Mary and so among his people. There will be no more
reproach or condemnation. Now, there will only be unconditional love.
This
unconditional love is confirmed both by the physical act of Mary’s visit to her
kinswoman Elizabeth and also the Magnificat which is attributed to Mary. In
this hymn, Mary extols God’s greatness because God has indeed redeemed his
people. The verbs that are used in the hymn are all in the past tense though
signify future actions. This is an indication of the faith and confidence that Mary
has in God who she is confident will accomplish all that he has promised.
Though
on the surface level the Visitation may appear to be Mary’s concern and love
for her cousin, on the deeper level it means that Mary wants to share with
Elizabeth what God has done in each of their lives and through the sons to be
born of them, what God will do in the world.
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