Reflection on Mary and Elizabeth
on the Feast of the Visitation, May 31

When Mary hears of her cousin Elizabeth's pregnancy, she immediately goes to stay with her, and help her through the last stages of childbirth. Love in action - that's what a follower of Christ is called to do. We do not simply receive and hold onto what God has revealed, we spread the Good News by reaching out to others and showing them our care and concern in whatever way is needed.

When Mary arrives, Elizabeth, alerted by her baby dancing for joy in her womb, responds to the Good News by blessing Mary, God's messenger. She is totally aware of an overwhelming sense of the divine presence and blessing, and expresses it in words that have echoed down the centuries: "Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb." Elizabeth is able to see clearly what is happening. Here, she challenges us to notice the moments in our lives when God's hand is clearly present to us.

In the Magnificat, Mary proclaims that her 'soul reflects the greatness of the Lord, and her spirit exalts in God (her) Saviour.' Because of her complete openness to God, Mary's faith takes her a step further: in line with the men and women prophets before her, she proclaims God's eternal compassion for all of us who are downtrodden, poor and enslaved. God's desire is that God's vision of a just and peaceful world becomes ours.

How do we, personally and as a community, keep that vision fresh and our efforts ongoing so that we all flourish?

By Jacqueline de Verteuil CSJ