The Visit of Grace

 

Feast of the Visitation: Mary visits Elizabeth

 

~~~ Zephaniah 3:14-18a ~~~ Psalm Is 12:2-3, 4bcd, 5-6 ~~~Luke 1:39-56 ~~~

 

Shout for joy, O daughter Zion!

The LORD, your God, is in your midst...

 

Mary was eager to share her joy with her cousin Elizabeth.

Both women were pregnant with special children.

Neither woman anticipated being pregnant

at that moment in time.

Mary was only betrothed to Joseph

and Elizabeth was past the usual child bearing age.

God surprised and blessed them both.

 

They were two women filled with the joy of new life.

They were allowing God to use their bodies for his glory.

 

Mary stayed with Elizabeth during her first trimester.

Typically the first three months are the most difficult time of the pregnancy.

The woman's body is adjusting to nourishing another human being.

The babies are growing rapidly.

 

Elizabeth could be a source of comfort and counsel for Mary.

I like to contemplate the joy on the faces of each of these holy women.

So often when you see a mother to be they appear to be glowing.

 

 

They probably spent hours just talking about how unworthy they felt

that God had chosen them as his vessels.

 

God blesses us at every age, in many varied ways.

All things are possible with God.

He gave both of these holy women the courage and strength

 they needed to accept their situation.

 

When we find ourselves in unpredictable situations

we should remember to trust that God is there with us.

It can be helpful to seek the company of someone whom you trust;

someone whom you can confide is.

Mary stayed with Elizabeth for three months.

When she headed back home she was more at peace.

Her body, mind, and heart were joined together as never before.

 

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.

Mary's visit that day confirmed God had indeed chosen her for his own...

he had chosen her to be the earthly mother for his only son, Jesus.

 

For many reasons the Visitation is very dear to my heart.

Two woman bonding and sharing their joys and fears with each other.

Women need the companionship of women of all ages.

In the presence of other women we are blessed with wisdom and grace.