May 31, 2021

Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Lk 1: 39-56 

In those days Mary set out and went with haste to a Judean town in the hill country, where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the child leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit and exclaimed with a loud cry, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. And why has this happened to me, that the mother of my Lord comes to me? For as soon as I heard the sound of your greeting, the child in my womb leaped for joy. And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her by the Lord.” 

And Mary said, “My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has looked with favor on the lowliness of his servant. Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed; for the Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is his name. His mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation. He has shown strength with his arm; he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts. He has brought down the powerful from their thrones, and lifted up the lowly; he has filled the hungry with good things, and sent the rich away empty. 

He has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy, according to the promise he made to our ancestors, to Abraham and to his descendants forever.” And Mary remained with her about three months and then returned to her home.

New Revised Standard Version, copyright 1989, by the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved. USCCB approved.

Preparing to receive Jesus

I remember my spiritual director asking me once: if I knew Jesus was coming to my home in an hour, what would I do? Those who know me can guess my answer – I would bake something. I would tidy up my house. I would probably worry far too much about if I looked presentable. 

Today we celebrate Mary’s visit to Elizabeth. I don’t think Elizabeth knew Mary was coming for a visit, so I doubt she prepared anything. But upon hearing Mary’s greeting, Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. Her child leapt in her womb. What a joyous reception both Mary and the unborn Jesus receive. This scripture is another reminder that the only preparation needed to receive Jesus into my home and into my heart is a willingness to receive him. There is nothing more I need to do. 

—Sonya Arriola is the Strategic Advisor to the President at Bellarmine College Preparatory in San Jose, CA. This is her fifteenth year in Jesuit education, including previously serving as President of Sacred Heart Nativity School.

 

Prayer

Almighty ever-living God, who, while the Blessed Virgin Mary was carrying your Son in her womb, inspired her to visit Elizabeth, grant us, we pray, that, faithful to the promptings of the Spirit, we may magnify your greatness with the Virgin Mary at all times. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever.

—Collect prayer from today’s Mass

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