Word to the Wise
Tuesday, May 31, 2016 - May 31 - Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary
[Zeph 3:14-18a or Rom 12:9-16 and Luke 1:39-56,]"My sould proclaims the greatness of the Lord; my spirit rejoices in God my Savior..." [Luke]
Most of us encounter the event known as the visitation when we celebrate the Joyful Mysteries of the rosary. We just say, "the second mystery - the Visitation" and move on. Yet, the scene, as do all the scenes in Luke's "infancy narrative," packs a lot of theology into a personal and charming narrative. We have the personal in the effort of Mary, now unexpected pregnant traveling into the hill country to be with her cousin, Elizabeth, also unexpectedly pregnant at an advanced age. In both instances it is God's power that has made the new lives possible. But there is also the bit of "womb politics" in baby John responding to baby Jesus.
There is also the wonderful "canticle" - Mary's longest speaking part in the gospels - that we call "the Magnificat." Much of the canticle can be found in phrases from the Old Testament, especially the psalms. Luke paints a board picture of God's plan of salvation in which Jesus will appear as the center of it all.
Whether we dwell on the comforting charm of the scene or reflect on the various "agendas" that hide in and around the whole thing, the Visitation merits our contemplation. Do our own souls proclaim the greatness of God? AMEN
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