Feast of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary

“The Visitation”
by El Greco, 1610-13

Information about the Feast of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary[1]

Readings for the Feast of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary[2]

Readings from the Jerusalem Bible

Readings and Commentary:[3]

Reading 1: Zephaniah 3:14-18a

Shout for joy, O daughter Zion!

Sing joyfully, O Israel!

Be glad and exult with all your heart,

O daughter Jerusalem!

The LORD has removed the judgment against you,

he has turned away your enemies;

The King of Israel, the LORD, is in your midst,

you have no further misfortune to fear.

On that day, it shall be said to Jerusalem:

Fear not, O Zion, be not discouraged!

The LORD, your God, is in your midst,

a mighty savior;

He will rejoice over you with gladness,

and renew you in his love,

He will sing joyfully because of you,

as one sings at festivals.

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Commentary on Zep 3:14-18a

This reading from the Book of the Prophet Zephaniah is part of a hymn of joy sung by the remnant restored to Zion.  It comes at the end of the oracle as the faithful worship God their savior who has given them what he promised and forgiven them of their many sins against him.

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Or Romans 12:9-16

Brothers and sisters: Let love be sincere;

hate what is evil,

hold on to what is good;

love one another with mutual affection;

anticipate one another in showing honor.

Do not grow slack in zeal,

be fervent in spirit,

serve the Lord.

Rejoice in hope,

endure in affliction,

persevere in prayer.

Contribute to the needs of the holy ones,

exercise hospitality.

Bless those who persecute you,

bless and do not curse them.

Rejoice with those who rejoice,

weep with those who weep.

Have the same regard for one another,

do not be haughty but associate with the lowly;

do not be wise in your own estimation.

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Commentary on Rom 12:9-16

St. Paul gives a litany of instructions to those who wish to remain faithful to Christ’s teachings.  He is speaking to a community that is one in faith in Christ. He tells the community that in their union the gifts of each must serve the needs of all and these gifts need to be exercised. In this selection the Evangelist gives a litany of exhortations to live the love of Christ, following his command to love one another sincerely and to forgive those who persecute them.

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Responsorial Psalm Isaiah 12:2-3, 4bcd, 5-6

R. (6) Among you is the great and Holy One of Israel.

God indeed is my savior;

I am confident and unafraid.

My strength and my courage is the LORD,

and he has been my savior.

With joy you will draw water

at the fountain of salvation.

R. Among you is the great and Holy One of Israel.

Give thanks to the LORD, acclaim his name;

among the nations make known his deeds,

proclaim how exalted is his name.

R. Among you is the great and Holy One of Israel.

Sing praise to the LORD for his glorious achievement;

let this be known throughout all the earth.

Shout with exultation, O city of Zion,

for great in your midst

is the Holy One of Israel!

R. Among you is the great and Holy One of Israel.

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Commentary on Is 12:2-3, 4bcd, 5-6

This canticle from the Prophet Isaiah emphasizes the peace and confidence of his servant in the salvation of God.  He sings his praise to God and exhorts all of Israel to praise Him as they see his constant presence among them in his blessings upon them.

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Gospel Luke 1:39-56

Mary set out

and traveled to the hill country in haste

to a town of Judah,

where she entered the house of Zechariah

and greeted Elizabeth.

When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting,

the infant leaped in her womb,

and Elizabeth, filled with the Holy Spirit,

cried out in a loud voice and said,

"Most blessed are you among women,

and blessed is the fruit of your womb.

And how does this happen to me,

that the mother of my Lord should come to me?

For at the moment the sound of your greeting reached my ears,

the infant in my womb leaped for joy.

Blessed are you who believed

that what was spoken to you by the Lord

would be fulfilled."

And Mary said:

"My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord;

my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,

for he has looked with favor on his lowly servant.

From this day all generations will call me blessed:

the Almighty has done great things for me,

and holy is his Name.

He has mercy on those who fear him

in every generation.

He has shown the strength of his arm,

he has scattered the proud in their conceit.

He has cast down the mighty from their thrones,

and has lifted up the lowly.

He has filled the hungry with good things,

and the rich he has sent away empty.

He has come to the help of his servant Israel

for he has remembered his promise of mercy,

the promise he made to our fathers,

to Abraham and his children for ever."

Mary remained with her about three months

and then returned to her home.

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Commentary on Lk 1:39-56

The Gospel selection from St. Luke gives us the story of Mary’s journey from Nazareth, over the mountains to Hebron, south of Jerusalem, to visit her cousin St. Elizabeth who was also with child.  St. Elizabeth’s greeting gives us substance for the “Hail Mary” and Mary’s response is the great Canticle of Mary which exemplifies her faith and faithfulness, appropriate for the Mother of Jesus who is the Christ.

Mary’s meeting with Elizabeth follows the annunciation by Gabriel that she would carry the Son of God which proclaims the coming of the Lord and the faith of Mary before the nativity event. We note that Elizabeth is first to identify Jesus as Lord as she says” …how does this happen to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?” She not only professes the identity of the infant but foreshadows Mary’s leadership standing, elevating the stature of her much younger cousin with reverence. Elizabeth continues her praise of Mary by establishing that her (Mary’s) faith had allowed her to accept even the incredible role God had offered her.

In response we hear Mary’s humility as she gives us the Magnificat “My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord; my spirit rejoices in God my savior...”  This opening phrase establishes that the Blessed Mother gives herself to God eternally (her eternal self -Soul) and completely (the very core of her being -Spirit).  What follows in her great song is an abject expression of faith in the Father’s omnipotence and her own humility and awe in the face of his request of her – to carry God’s only Son.

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Reflection:

As we reflect upon the Visitation, as sometimes happens, we consider the event in broad or general terms – Mary, the vessel of Jesus visits St. Elizabeth, the vessel of St. John the Baptist.  The mothers greet each other but only after the Lord and St. John have already communed in spirit.  St. John “leaped for joy” in the presence of the Lord, communicating his own exultation to his mother. 

We see this reaction in St. Elizabeth when she greets Mary, already knowing the identity of the child she carries.  St. Elizabeth clearly recognizes the holiness of Mary.  This is remarkable when we consider that St. Elizabeth is far older than her young cousin.  We were told that she was barren “And behold, Elizabeth, your relative, has also conceived * a son in her old age, and this is the sixth month for her who was called barren;” (Luke 1:36) when Mary received the news of her own conception from the Archangel Gabriel.  Yet, her cousin not only differs to her but offers her worshipful praise “Most blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb”.

This meeting, as we look back upon it is much more than an encounter between faith-filled women; rather it is the Messiah, the Only Begotten Son of God, being introduced to the world in the persons of St. John the Baptist and, secondly, to his mother St. Elizabeth.  It is for this reason we celebrate this event in solemn worship.  It is in essence our first meeting with the Incarnation.

Our joy in this meeting is echoed by St. Elizabeth who gives us the words of the Hail Mary in her salutation.  It is a reminder, not only of the Blessed Virgin’s own faith in God and acceptance of His will, but our own need to thank St. Mary for her obedience, St. Elizabeth for her understanding, and St. John for his recognition of this wondrous event.

Today we pray that our faith may be as perceptive as St. Elizabeth’s in recognizing Christ in our brothers and sisters and that St. Mary’s unwavering obedience to God might give us courage to obey him as well.

Pax 

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[1] The image used today is “The Visitation” by El Greco, 1610-13

[2] ALTRE

[3] The readings are taken from the New American Bible with the exception of the Psalm and its response which were developed by the International Committee for English in Liturgy (ICEL).  This re-publication is not authorized by USCCB and is for private use only.