The feast of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary teaches us many things. Here are a couple.
May is Mary’s month, and the end of May is a day of merriment. Don’t you think being visited by someone is an occasion for merry? Elizabeth rejoiced at seeing the mother of her Lord. The baby made merry by “leaping” in her womb. One thing I remember as a young child was the regular visit of our parish priest to our family. Although I don’t remember much, the fact that the priest always brought a can of sweet, caramelized popcorn probably sealed the memory in my heart. To this day, I have fond memories of Fr. Pedro Esmalla.
Selflessness
Mary’s visit to Elizabeth teaches us a few things that we need to imprint in our hearts. First, Mary demonstrates selflessness. Having been informed that she will bear the Son of God in her womb, she is not so inwardly focused that she cannot see her elderly cousin Elizabeth. She immediately sets out to visit Elizabeth and stays with her for a lengthy period of time.
How selflessly do we live our lives? Are we always on the lookout for ways to be of assistance to others? Or do we always think of ourselves first and rarely step out of our comfort zones to help those in need? Mary’s example teaches us the way of Christ even before Christ is born into the world. In the words of St. Ignatius of Loyola, “to give and not to count the cost.”
Faith that Moves Outside Our Safety Zones
Second, Mary also teaches us that faith allows us to move outside of our safety zones. It is most likely that she is only a teenager when all of this happens, yet she is able to move with the freedom of an adult and of faith in her decision-making. Mary simply trusts that whatever God has planned for her, God is going to provide her with all she needs to accomplish it. This maturity of faith is remarkable for such a young girl and ought to inspire us to endless possibilities if we only learn to have faith and trust in God’s promises and will.
Let us make ourselves available to the Church for service, whether small or great, and simply follow in the way God is calling us to serve.
Rather than keep to myself, help me to be like Mary, Lord. Help me to go out and be a blessing to someone else.
Reflection Question
When was the last time you went out of your way to help someone?
[Readings: Zephaniah 3:14-18a; Luke 1:39-36]
Other related articles
- God’s Visitation: Feast of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary
- Feast of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary
- Outside of our comfort zone
- Eucharistic visitation
Daily Inspiration with Fr. Maurice
I am so sad that you are no longer at St. Louis.