Feast of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Today in our country we celebrate Memorial Day, where we call to mind all of those who have died while serving in our armed forces. Such an observance reminds us of the cost and sacrifice of war. Today in our Church, however, we have a great feast that reminds us of the beauty and joy of bringing God to others. This is the Feast of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, when we remember Mary visiting her cousin Elizabeth, mother of John the Baptist.
The readings for the feast are all about good news – the good news that God has come among us. Jesus is still in the womb of Mary, and yet God has come to earth. John the Baptist recognizes the presence of God, leaping for joy in the womb of his mother, and Elizabeth proclaims Mary as the Mother of her Lord. We should never take the strangeness of this for granted. God might have come to earth in other, more dramatic ways. But instead he chose to enter our world as we all enter our world – in the womb of a mother.
Someone in Mary’s position – pregnant but not yet married – might have been frightened and want to remain hidden from view. Mary, however, has faith, recognizing that she has been honored and is truly blessed to be the Mother of God. As we also know, our tradition has a strong custom of recognizing Mary’s suffering, in particular that of watching her son undergo his passion and crucifixion. Despite that sorrow and pain, Mary recognizes that God has done great things for her, and indeed, for all of Israel, who he will redeem through Jesus. Hence one of her first tasks after she conceives by the Holy Spirit is to visit her cousin Elizabeth. It is merely the first of many times that Mary brings God to others, sharing the message of salvation.
Mary is rightly honored by us, for she brought God to the world through her humility and willing acceptance of the will of God. As such, Mary also stands as a model for all of us. Regardless of the hardship and suffering and sacrifice, we are called to bring God to others. While we do not have the privilege she had of being Jesus’ mother, we are Christians who share her faith in her son Jesus.
On this day, let us remember our mother, Mary, and her willingness to bring the Christ to a suffering world in need of redemption through Him. Let us beg her to intercede for us with her Son, that we too might be God-bearers to the world, and to undertake this mission joyfully and in a spirit of humble servitude. We, too, have the opportunity to become saints and to share in that Kingdom where Christ reigns.
- Maria Morrow