Visitation of the Virgin Mary to
Elizabeth
Rev. Binoy J. Thomas
Diocesan/Bishop's
Secretary, Sinai Center, NY
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43 And why has this happened to me, that the mother of my Lord
comes to me?
God’s intervention in human life is a great reality.
People cannot understand or comprehend by themselves. He has a definite
plan and purpose. Divine plan is always executed through human
participation and cooperation. God chooses people to implement His plan.
God selected Mary, a teenage girl for His divine plan. Mary had been
chosen, favored by God. This is a strange blessing and yet the same
thing also happened in Elizabeth’s life. Here in this passage, Mary made
her journey to visit Elizabeth who is also expecting a baby. This is an
awesome occasion to meet the two women who will give birth to two special
children, John the Baptist and Jesus. God chose them to bring two men who
challenged and changed the millions.
There are two signs seen during the encounter between Mary and
Elizabeth; the child leapt and Elizabeth is filled with the Holy Spirit and
prophesies what is to come in Mary’s life. The joy of Mary and Elizabeth
shows us the ways of God’s gracious work in human experiences. The fact
that these two were expecting was completely unexpected. This blessed
visitation leads the first meeting of the two babies who changed the world.
V. 43 reminds us that Elizabeth is very humble, and she came to
know that she is not worthy of a great visitation in her life and also
understood that it is a great blessing. Elizabeth recognizes the young Mary
and received her with a humble heart into her house. Mary sacrifices her
comfort and security and submits herself unconditionally. Also, she is
willing to obey God. God always uses people who desire to do His will. Mary
faced physical danger, abandonment, rejection and a confused heart. But the
meeting gave her courage, comfort, and confidence. Her stay with Elizabeth
for three months molded the young Mary into the mother of our Lord. The
positive energy and the strength she received from this priestly family
changed her whole life. Here Elizabeth became a great counselor and mentor,
and Mary needed someone she could trust and help her face God’s challenge
in her life. She found the perfect person in Elizabeth; she was so kind,
older, and willing to hear someone’s problems. With the support and
encouragement she received from Elizabeth, Mary prepared her total trust in
God.
We are expecting blessings from God for our physical needs and
pleasures. If anything unexpected happens in our lives, we become desperate
and reject everything. There are lot of challenges and questions in front
of us. We should think that our presence, interaction, words,
inclusiveness, and openness will change those who have abounded us. How can
we change our life to be a blessing to others? Our attitudes should
change and our faith in God which is revealed through our actions. So our
faith is our response to God’s grace. Our personal experience with God
should be a blessing to others. Mary remained blessed among women.
PRAYER
Dear Lord fill
us with Your spirit and increase our faith to face our problems and
difficulties in our life, and help us to be a blessing to others.
THOUGHT
FOR THE DAY:
Blessedness comes through humility.
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