...Hold On to What is Good...

~~~ Feast of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary ~~~

~~~Zephaniah 3:14-18A or Romans 12:9-16 ~~~

Among you is the great and Holy One of Israel.

~~~ Luke 1:39-56 ~~~

The story of Mary rushing to visit Elizabeth celebrates

 the love and friendship between two women.

Mary has just experienced a profound life changing event.

 Shes goes right away to the woman carrying the one

 who will make the way for Jesus, John.

I have written about this visit in other entries on this blog

just click on the tag Visitation.

Perhaps we have these readings today

 because they highlight the workings of the Holy Spirit in the lives

 of these two devoted women...Mary and Elizabeth.

The Holy Spirit draws these women together;

one giving testimony to the other even before they utter a single word.

Nothing is impossible with/for God,

but when he 'tosses' in the Holy Spirit something fantastic happens.

Young, old, wed, virgin;

no objections are too great for the Holy Spirit.

Paul's letter to the Romans is most lovely.

He uses words like...

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.

I have included the full reading here, so that you also may

cherish his words.

Whether or not he was thinking of Mary as he was writing;

it is easy for us to place her on our hearts as we read and reflect on it today.

Every verse offers something for us to magnify in our own life.

Which verse speaks most to you?

...hold on to what is good?

I think in our world today it is difficult to hold on to what is good.

First, we must identify the good, which may cause

 us to shift our primary focus.

Where is the good? What is really good today?

How do we define good in our personal life?

I believe, if we look for the good we will find the good.

Do not grow slack in zeal...

Zeal...

a strong feeling of interest and enthusiasm

 that makes someone very eager or determined to do something.

May our zeal for the message of love and mercy

inspire us to have greater regard for others.

Mary visited Elizabeth and together 

they rejoiced in what the Spirit of God had done with their lives.

May we share in their Visitation joy.

~~~ Peace ~~~