The Gospel for The Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary (May 31, 2005)
Luke 1:39-49
Mary set out at that time and went as quickly as she could into the hill country to a town in Judah. She went into Zechariah’s house and greeted Elizabeth. Now it happened that as soon as Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the child leapt in her womb and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. She gave a loud cry and said, ‘Of all women you are the most blessed, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. Why should I be honoured with a visit from the mother of my Lord? Look, the moment your greeting reached my ears, the child in my womb leapt for joy. Yes, blessed is she who believed that the promise made her by the Lord would be fulfilled.’ And Mary said: My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour; because he has looked upon the humiliation of his servant. Yes, from now onwards all generations will call me blessed, for the Almighty has done great things for me. Holy is his name .... -- The New Jerusalem Bible. Garden City, N.Y.: Doubleday, 1995, c1985
Mary
The mother of Jesus has contributed, via the acts of men, especially the "church fathers," as much division to the Church as she has unity among those who venerate her as "the mother of God."
A Reflection
The gospels are marvelous in their portraying Mary's storied willingness to submit to YHWH's direction, and her humility reported during her visit with her cousin Elizabeth expecting the baby who was to become John the Baptist.
Whether we choose to appreciate this gospel's text as history or as metaphor, the metaphor is powerful. In her time and place, Mary became an unwed mother when the consequences for someone like her would have been disastrous; divorce from her intended Joseph and shunning from the people of Nazareth could easily have left her and her baby at the very bottom of the pile, economically, socially, and especially religiously.
That Joseph stuck by Mary may be even a greater story of faith than this gospel reports for Mary.
And her later reported association with Jesus brought little joy to her. It's not what a mother would have expected from her good Jewish son. We are told that after His crucifixion, she was one of those women who formed the sound backbone of the Church, the Body of Christ here for us. For that, surely, we are indebted to her as the mother of Jesus and as one of the unappointed apostles.
The Collect
Father in heaven, by your grace the virgin mother of your incarnate Son was blessed in bearing him, but still more blessed in keeping your word: Grant us who honor the exaltation of her lowliness to follow the example of her devotion to your will; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
7:53:40 PM 
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