During the months of quarantine because of the COVID-19, millions of us were connected to the world wide web of social media. We were physically apart from our workstations, church ministries, relatives and friends. Yet, after a while, we realized that virtual connection cannot suffice or replace the physical connectivity. We are starting to look for an in-person contact.
Virtual connection is good, but it leaves us empty inside. Today’s feast of the visitation may just be considered therapeutic. Indeed, there is no way we can overemphasize the importance of physical visits, especially to those really in need.
Mary’s Visit to Elizabeth
Every visit is a precious gift whose value exceeds what money can buy. It is a priceless treasure not because of the gift but because of the giver. When we visit someone, we give ourselves to the person we visit. We give our time and effort in making the visit. We remember the visit that the Blessed Mother paid to her cousin, Elizabeth. We celebrate her visit as the feast of the visitation because it was a gift of herself to Elizabeth. She went to Judea, the hometown of Zechariah and Elizabeth, not for a grand vacation. She went there in haste, despite her own pregnancy, to serve Elizabeth. By doing so, the Blessed Mother did not only share with Elizabeth the unmerited gift of her becoming the mother of the Savior but also Elizabeth’s own cause of joy and anxiety.
The Joy of Mary’s Visit
That she conceived in her old age and despite her being barren, caused Elizabeth the kind of inexpressible joy that even her husband, Zechariah, could not speak about. However, the same event caused her anxiety, given the difficulties of conceiving and delivering a baby in her advanced age. In such a moment of mixed emotion and confusing experience, the Blessed Mother’s visit was a most welcome one. The Blessed Mother’s presence highlighted the joy in Elizabeth’s condition and totally erased any trace of anxiety there was. The Blessed Mother’s going out of her way and making sacrifices to be with Elizabeth made the visit we remember today a reason to celebrate for all ages.
As she shared in her cousin’s difficulties, the Blessed Mother brought Jesus not only to Elizabeth but also to Zechariah and to John, who was yet in the womb. She brought Jesus to them, not only because Jesus was already in her womb, but also because she herself became to them like Jesus who came to serve and not to be served.
Visit someone today. Serve someone today. The world may not remember and celebrate our visit. But heaven will never forget.
Jesus, Your mother, the Blessed Virgin Mary, brought You to her cousin Elizabeth and her family. Like her, may I always bring You to all the people I meet each day. And may I greet, love and serve You in them as well. Amen.
Congratulations on your decision to SERVE and not be SERVED! Thank you for being a light of Christ.