The Marian month of May concluded with the Feast of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary to Elizabeth. Mary’s visit to her relative Elizabeth is important both theologically as well as pastorally.
From the biblical-theological standpoint the Visitation marks a meaningful connection between what is old and what is new. In fact, both Elizabeth and her kinswoman Mary are pregnant women. One symbolizes expectation whereas the other represents the expected One.
Elizabeth, the older one in the picture, reminds us of Israel who ardently awaits for ages the promised Messiah. Mary, on the other hand, is the younger one in the situation. She incarnates within herself the accomplishment of the Saviour’s expectation for the redemption of humanity. In Elizabeth the fruit of her womb is John whilst in Mary’s it is Jesus Christ, the much-awaited Redeemer.
In front of such a great meeting between Mary and Elizabeth the Christian poet Prudentius could not hide his justified joy when he commented with inspiring awe: “The child in the old womb greets, through his mother’s mouth, the Lord, son of the Virgin”.
Having said that, it needs to be remembered that Mary did not go to visit Elizabeth haphazardly. It was God’s messenger who broke the news to Mary of Elizabeth’s surprising pregnancy. “And behold, your
kinswoman Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son; and this is the sixth month with her who was called barren. For with God nothing will be impossible.” (Luke 1:36-37). Interestingly enough,
after hearing this great news, Mary must have pondered and understood in her heart of hearts the main practical consequence the archangel Gabriel’s news was hinting at.
The text powerfully unravels this precisely in the following line in which Mary’s open availability to God’s plan is shown in its completeness. “And Mary said, ‘Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word’” (Luke 1:38). Mary’s yes not only comprised her yes to be the Mother of the Second Person of the Holy Trinity. It likewise involved her assent to serve her relative Elizabeth. In fact, in verses 39 to 40, Luke’s Gospel recounts: “In those days Mary arose and went with haste into the hill country, to a city of Judah, and she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth.”
The first act of Mary as the Mother of God Incarnate is solidarity with her kinswoman who was in dire need. Upon receiving the call of Divine Motherhood Mary immediately realized that her mission, like that of her Son Jesus, was that of serving those in need. By visiting the needy Elizabeth she spiritually lived what Jesus was to stress in Mark’s Gospel later on during his public life: “For the Son of man also came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many” (Mark 10:45).
When we visit other people are our visits prompted by a genuine spirit of service? Or, instead, are deceptively couched by the evil spirit of power and control? Do we really believe that when we meet others in good faith we do so to transmit God’s love to them? Can we truly regard ourselves as brothers and sisters of the same God and not as dreadful competing rivals to each other?
Commenting on the Feast of Visitation, Pope Emeritus, Benedict XVI, said: “The scene of the Visitation also expresses the beauty of hospitality: where there is mutual welcome, listening, making room for the other, God is present with the joy that comes from him”.
Do we imitate Mary by visiting today’s needy ones, mainly the sick, prisoners, the elderly and children? Are these not constant blessed visitations?
Fr Mario Attard OFM Cap