The Visitation

“Blessed are you who believed that what was spoken to you by the Lord would be fulfilled.”

Today’s gospel is the story of two women. Both were pregnant when it should have been impossible for either to be pregnant. Elizabeth was well past child bearing age and Mary was a virgin. They were pregnant because they both said yes to God’s call. They both allowed God’s will to be done in their lives. This was not just a simple meeting of two mothers. This was a passing from one age to another.

Elizabeth, a woman near the end of her life, represented the approaching end to the age of the Law and the Prophets. Her son, John the Baptist, would herald in the new age of salvation and redemption that Israel had long awaited and now was present in Mary. In the visitation, we have a promise meeting its fulfillment.

How appropriate then that John the Baptist, Herald of the Lord, was the first to recognize him when he was still in his mother’s womb. Elizabeth was the first to call Jesus Lord and recognize Mary as the Blessed Mother. They were both filled with great joy being in the presence of God in the flesh. The Church is filled with the same joy today as we anxiously await Christmas morning where we will celebrate with great jubilation the birth of our Lord Jesus. Like Elizabeth, we also long for the end of this age, when Jesus will triumphantly return to usher in the new age where he will reign for all eternity. Our joy is almost complete as we approach the end of this advent season.

But for Catholics, advent should not be limited to the last four weeks of our liturgical calendar. We should carry in us all the peace, joy, and anticipation of Christ’s return throughout the entire year. We should be filled with this joy and peace as Mary was filled with Jesus himself. May others leap for joy when they recognize Jesus within you. You may be the only bible someone ever reads. You may be the only face of Christ someone ever looks upon in this life. Be the reason they want to come to know the Lord as you do.

As we spend these last few days waiting to welcome Christmas morning, let us not be consumed by the chaos of that last minute rush. Take a moment to appreciate the beauty of this season with its brightly lit trees, colorfully wrapped gifts, and serene music giving praise to God. Let us joyfully welcome the greatest gift ever given to man; the gift of a savior.