VISITATION, A MYSTERY OF JOY, FRATERNAL LOVE, AND HUMILITY.

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May 31, 2022
Feast of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Readings: Zep 3:14-18a; Cant. Is 12:2-3, 4bcd, 5-6; Rom12:9-16; Lk 1:39-56.

“Mary set out and traveled to the hill country in haste to a town of Judah, where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth.” Lk 1:39

A Traditional proverb says: “Visits always give pleasure; if not the arrival, the departure.” And a Rwandese proverb adds: “A friend who visits you when you are suffering is your best friend.” 

There is a great song of joy that springs from today's feast. Rightly, in the meditation of the Holy Rosary, we recall today's event as a mystery of joy. It is the mysterious encounter of two unborn children through the happenstance of their mothers. It is the mysterious foretaste of the joy that the Incarnation and Nativity of the Lord will bring in our human likeness.

Besides the color of joy, the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary to her cousin Elizabeth provides us a great lesson on humility. First the humility of Mary, the Mother of God going to visit and serve her cousin the Mother of the prophet in her needs. It is also and mostly about the humility of God coming to visit our sinful humanity.

Under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit—as Mother of God and “blessed among women”, Mary goes to the Hill Countries to visit and serve her cousin Elizabeth who is found with a child. There, filled with overwhelming joy, she sings her sublime hymn, the Magnificat (“My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord”) which has become a part of our daily act of gratitude to God.

We learn through Mary's actions that the greatest joy is what we provide to others. Or to say it better, “There is more joy in giving than in receiving.” (Acts 20:35) For, the joy of giving or the given joy, lasts longer than the joy of getting. It is also a celebration of the fraternal love that led Mary to go and serve Elizabeth. And lastly, an act of humility because, although knowing she was bearing the Son of God, Mary humbled herself to serve Elizabeth who was to be the mother of a mere prophet. The Magnificat of Mary itself expresses these three points of our theme: Joy, Love, and Humility.

Today's feast is a grace-filled event that reveals God's plan of salvation and the special role he entrusted to Mary in the unfolding of this divine work. Mary is presented to us as the missionary of God's love; the first and greatest Apostle who, filled with the Holy Spirit is eager to bring joy to the world, to bring Christ to needy and expectant humanity symbolized by Elizabeth and John the Baptist. The lesson she gave on service, love, and humility will also mark and define the whole life of Jesus her son.

In the first reading, the Prophet Zephaniah invites us to shout for joy, to sing joyfully, to be glad and exult with a whole heart. This is because the Lord our Savior is in our midst. He has removed the judgment against us and taken away all our humiliations. We are renewed by the love the Lord has for us. Therefore, we ought to be instruments of the same love and charity towards others.

In the second reading, Paul insists on this need to share with those in need, to make ourselves servants of the needy. This is another call on humility expressed in service and love. The Apostle exhorts the Romans, “Let love be sincere; hate what is evil, hold on to what is good; love one another with mutual affection; anticipate one another in showing honor.” And he ends by adding, “Contribute to the needs of the holy ones, exercise hospitality.” All these exhortations can be seen in the visit of Mary to Elizabeth. She showed the most sincere and disinterested love. She put herself at her service, answering to all the needs of her cousin in her old age. And finally, she raised her in greater honor, an honor that Mary could be considered most deserving of. By raising higher her cousin in honor, Mary became the beacon of humility for us all.

The Gospel can say more about all these elements of joy, love, and humility. Mary shares her joy with Elizabeth and shares in the latter one’s joy. Mary serves Elizabeth out of love. And Mary shows to be the humble handmaid God chose to contribute to the salvation of humankind. In this beautiful triptych of joy, love, and humility, the Magnificat must vibrate in everyone's heart and be on our lips. As we rejoice with Mary and Elizabeth, let us in all humility bring our petitions to the Father who cherishes humility of heart and service of the needy.

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