The Visitation

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 leapt 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 leapt for joy. And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfilment of what was spoken to her by the Lord.’ And Mary said, ‘My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour, 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 for about three months and then returned to her home. Now the time came for Elizabeth to give birth, and she bore a son. Luke 1:39-57

The feast of the visitation is the day we remember Mary going to see her cousin Elizabeth with whom she had a close relationship. She knew Elizabeth could support her, emotionally, spiritually and physically for she remained with her for three months. We always seek our clan mothers, our wise aunts and cousins who are our support system. Mary was terrified and excited, and she left home and into the arms of Elizabeth, in order to find the strength to face her destiny. None of us can do our faith journey alone, whether we are carrying great burdens and responsibilities, or whether, like Mary, we care carrying the Son of God. We are invited by God today to seek out our clan mothers and fathers, our siblings and communities that can help us move through troubling and changing times.

Gracious Creator, who invites us in community

you bless us with friends and chosen family

to help us find our way through dark times

and give us words of gratitude in the midst of it.

We often scream in the dark, raging at our isolation

unwilling to move towards those who can help us

enjoying victimhood rather than the healing

which you are offering with every new sunrise.

Help us to get on our feet and move to healing

seeking out the ones who can hold us and listen

becoming those who can be with the seekers

and the ones who are carrying the burdens of love. Amen.