Context: Our Blessed Mother, though pregnant herself, went to care for her cousin Elizabeth who was advanced in years but also miraculously pregnant with Saint John the Baptist. What an encounter! Two mothers meet. Elizabeth conceived in her old age the one whom Jesus would call the “greatest” ever born of woman. As Mary greets Elizabeth, Saint John leaps for joy in her womb. He begins to proclaim the presence of the Lord even before he was born. Elizabeth is deeply moved by the presence of Mary and her unborn child. She senses the great mystery even though she does not fully comprehend it. Our Blessed Mother, in turn, speaks her glorious song of praise.
Scripture Reading: Luke 1:39–56 (RSV-CE)
Reflection: As you read the Scripture passage above, prayerfully consider and ponder these beautiful truths. Ponder them this way:
Close your eyes and imagine the scene…
Hear Elizabeth speak these words…
Listen to the emotion and joy in her voice…
Sense the mystery and awe…
“Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! (Silent Reflection)
And why is this granted me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? (Silent Reflection)
For behold, when the voice of your greeting came to my ears, the babe in my womb leaped for joy. (Silent Reflection)
And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfilment of what was spoken to her from the Lord.” (Silent Reflection)
See with your mind’s eye the joy radiating from our Blessed Mother as she speaks the words below…
Her “soul” refers to every passion, emotion, desire and interior power. With her whole being she “magnifies” and glorifies the greatness of God…
And within her “spirit” she rejoices. Joy is a gift given to her by God as she encounters this gift…
And Mary said, “My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has regarded the low estate of his handmaiden.
For behold, henceforth all generations will call me blessed; for he who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name.
Indeed, every generation has called her blessed. In her humility she points to this privilege of being the Mother of God as a gift from God…
And his mercy is on those who fear him from generation to generation. He has shown strength with his arm, he has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts, he has put down the mighty from their thrones, and exalted those of low degree; he has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent empty away. He has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy, as he spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to his posterity for ever.”
Our Blessed Mother is poor, humble, a servant, lowly…but God has lifted her up in His perfect mercy by using her as the greatest instrument of grace ever known…
After this initial encounter, our Blessed Mother remained with Elizabeth for three months. Try to imagine what they would have shared during this time. Imagine their shared experience. Ponder their mutual love, humility, and the awe they would have had at the incomprehensible mystery in which they shared.
Introduction to Meditations for Advent
- A New King
- Christ the King
- Total Surrender
- The Need for a Savior
- The Fiat of the Mother of God
- The Visitation of the Mother and the Son of God
Featured Image: Visitation by Franz Anton Maulbertsch
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