Zephaniah 3:14-18
Isaiah 12
Luke 1:39-56
Happy Feast of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary!
As we celebrate the feast of the Blessed Virgin Mary’s visitation to her cousin Elizabeth, we wrap up our May devotion with a sense of joy and anticipation, for the Novena to the Holy Spirit has begun!
In today’s energizing passage from the Gospel of Luke (Luke 1:39-56), we witness a remarkable moment! After receiving the incredible news from the angel about her miraculous pregnancy, Mary sets off “in haste” from Nazareth, embarking on an inspiring journey to visit her cousin Elizabeth, who lives in a charming village nestled in the hills of Judea. And when she arrives, what a surprise awaits her—Elizabeth, despite her age, is also miraculously pregnant!
Filled with the Holy Spirit, Elizabeth greets Mary with a shout of joy: “Most blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb!” It’s a powerful moment, charged with reverence and excitement. Here are two women, one a young Virgin and the other once barren, now overflowing with happiness as they share this incredible news! Their meeting isn’t just a family reunion; it’s an encounter rooted in divine purpose, with the Word incarnate residing within Mary and in Elizabeth a child who will prepare for the Lord-John the Baptist.
This beautiful moment beckons us to leap for joy in the Holy Spirit like St. John the Baptist did in the womb! The Good News is about Jesus himself, arriving to save us and restore our relationship with the Father. When we believe in Him, we unlock the gift of eternal life. Let’s embrace this joy and excitement in our lives as we journey together!
Fr Joseph Osho