The Visitation of Blessed Virgin Mary

 

We can see in Virgin Mary what we should be.

Reflection on Today’s Readings, Friday of 8th Week in Ordinary Time II, May 31st, 2024
Texts: Romans 12:9-16; Canticle Isaiah 12; Luke 1:39-56 

Today is the feast of the Visitation of Blessed Virgin Mary to Elizabeth, her relation. The visitation is so important that the Church commemorates it yearly. During this visit there is confirmation of the word of God to Virgin Mary. Elizabeth says, “And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfilment of what was spoken to her from the  Lord."  

There is also the revelation of Virgin Mary as mother of God. Elizabeth says, “And why is this granted me, that the mother of my  Lord should come to me?” The Lord is the name of God. 

Today’s readings show that we can see in Virgin Mary what we should be. She is a model in virtues. St. Paul asks us, today, to “love one another with brotherly affection; outdo one another in showing honour. Never flag in zeal, be aglow with the Spirit, serve the  Lord.”  Virgin Mary fulfils the word of St. Paul when she went in haste to visit Elizabeth. She went to show honour and express love. 

Virgin Mary is a model 

Virgin Mary is a model in joy, patience, prayer, charity and hospitality. Hence, St. Paul exhorts us thus: "Rejoice in your hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints, practice hospitality. Bless those who persecute you; bless an(d do not curse them.” Virgin Mary visited Elizabeth to rejoice with her for her pregnancy. Hence, she fulfils the word of St. Paul: “Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.”

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. Amen 

Fr. Andrew Olowomuke