It is 21st December 2018. The readings are from Songs 2:8-14; and the Gospel from Luke 1:39-45. They say that some people come into our lives as a blessing and some others as a lesson. Are we a lesson or a blessing to others? Some of us consciously put on a kind of pride and arrogance as soon we acquire little bit of education, money, social status. Some others even go to the extent to look down on others because we feel so blessed with a job, family and God’s blessing. We begin to distant ourselves from our relatives and friends and teaching the same to our children to be careful about those people. When God blesses someone, God expects us to share it with the physical presence and social interaction and material sharing with the others especially those who are not so blessed like us. Human visit is so vital for basic inter and intra personal relationship. Visits must not be always formal and impersonal. Every visit must connect the other person in their level not even with an iota of domination in word, gesture, voice and presence. Our visit must make us feel the closeness of God in our lives. The goodness in us must encounter the goodness in others and eventually recognising the presence of the Holy Spirit between persons and celebrating and thanking for such human encounters that bring about the moment of grace and blessings. We need not wait for someone to become sick, lose business and relationship or broken to pay a visit. Our visit must be guided by the Holy Spirit and carrying the blessings of God that we are already enjoying in our lives. We do not need to boast and trumpet or to gossip about what the Lord has done rather to recognise the goodness and grace in others is the blessing of the visit. Being grateful to God for what God has done to the one who is paying a visit. The first reading from the Song of Songs presents a love story between God and God’s people. The groom is God who invites the beloved people to come intimately closer to God to enjoy the happiness and peace God alone could offer. A new life awakens by the visit of the groom. The responsorial Psalm praises, “Ring out your joy to the Lord, O you just; O sing him a song that is new.” (Ps.32:3). The Gospel shares the Visitation of Mary to Elizabeth. Mary carries the bundle of joy not only in her womb but filled with joy of the Holy Spirit and grace wished to share and communicate the Good News to her older relative. Mother Mary took the initiative even as a would-be Mother of God. Mary does not delay and brooding over her new status. Mary wanted to be a humble servant to Elizabeth during her visit. “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?” (Lk.1:43). May our visit to our friends and relative bring blessings and make them come closer to God. May you have a good day. God bless you.