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Mary set out in those days and traveled to the hill country in
haste to a town of Judah, where she entered the house of Zechariah
and greeted Elizabeth. Luke 1:39–40
We are presented today with the glorious story of the Visitation.
When Mary was about two months pregnant, she traveled to be with
her cousin Elizabeth who was to give birth within a month. Though
much could be said about this as an act of familial love given from
Mary to Elizabeth, the central focus immediately becomes the
precious Child within the womb of Mary.
Imagine the scene. Mary had just traveled about 100 miles. She was
most likely exhausted. As she finally arrived, she would have been
relieved and joyful at the completion of her journey. But Elizabeth
says something quite inspiring at that moment, which elevates the
joy of all present, including the joy of Mother Mary. Elizabeth
says, “For at the moment the sound of your greeting reached my
ears, the infant in my womb leaped for joy” (Luke 1:44). Again,
imagine the scene. It was this tiny child within Elizabeth’s womb,
John the Baptist, who immediately perceived the presence of the
Lord and leaped for joy. And it was Elizabeth who immediately
perceived the joy in her child living within her womb. As Elizabeth
expressed this to Mary, who was already joyful at completing her
journey, Mary was suddenly all the more overjoyed at the
realization that she had brought to Elizabeth and John the Savior
of the World living within her womb.
This story should teach us much about what is most important in
life. Yes, it’s important to reach out in love to others. It’s
important to care for our relatives and friends when they need us
the most. It’s important to be sacrificial with our time and
energies for the good of others, because through these acts of
humble service, we certainly share the love of God. But most
importantly, we must bring Christ Jesus Himself to others.
Elizabeth was not filled with joy first and foremost because Mary
was there to help her in her pregnancy. Rather, she was overjoyed
primarily because Mary brought her Jesus, her Lord, living within
her womb.
Though we do not bring Christ in the same way as our Blessed Mother
did, we nonetheless must make this our central mission in life.
First, we must foster a love and devotion to our Lord so deep that
He truly dwells within us. Then, we must bring Him who dwells
within us to others. This is unquestionably the greatest act of
charity we will ever be able to offer to another.
Reflect, today, not only upon your mission to invite your Lord to
dwell within you as our Blessed Mother did but also upon your
Christian duty to then bring Him who dwells within you to others.
Do others encounter Christ living within you with joy? Do they
sense His presence in your life and respond with gratitude?
Regardless of their response, commit yourself to this holy calling
of bringing Christ to others as an act of the deepest love.
Lord, please do dwell within me. Come and transform me by Your
holy presence. As You do come to me, help me to then become a
missionary of Your divine presence by bringing You to others so
that they may encounter the joy of Your presence. Make me a pure
instrument, dear Lord, and use me to inspire all whom I encounter
every day. Jesus, I trust in You.
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