Feast of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary

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

Feast of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Photo by Jonatan Oregon © Cathopic

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]


Daily Inspiration with Fr. Maurice

Fr. Archie Tacay

I'm Padre Archie Macaroncio Tacay, CICM. I was born on April 19 and was raised in the Philippines. I entered the seminary formation of the Missionhurst-Missionaries or CICM Missionaries in 1995 and professed my religious vows in 2001. After completing my Theological studies at Maryhill School of Theology, I was sent to the US to continue my internship formation. While here in the US, I went to Oblate School of Theology, learned the Spanish language in Cuernavaca, Mexico and later on trained as a chaplain in MD Anderson Houston, Texas. Most of my assignments were in Texas, particularly in the Diocese of Brownsville and Archdiocese of San Antonio. I was ordained as a priest on May 20, 2008. My current assignment has me in Wendell, North Carolina, as Pastor of St. Eugene Church. I love outdoor sports! e.g. cycling, tennis. I also love to read books, play guitar and do nature trekking.

2 Comments

  1. Susan on October 20, 2024 at 5:29 pm

    We miss you at St. Louis in Castroville and hope you are doing well.

  2. Denise on June 19, 2024 at 6:09 pm

    I am so sad that you are no longer at St. Louis.

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