May the Lord give you peace, health, and happiness through the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
It is 31st May 2022. We reflect on Zephaniah 3:14-16 and Luke 1:39-56.
We celebrate the Visitation of Our Lady to Saint Elizabeth today as we conclude the month. The event unfolded right after the Annunciation. Hearing the news from the angel about what God has done to Elizabeth, Mary visited her and at her service at the sixth month of her pregnancy for three months. St. Luke beautiful records that the moment She got conceived of Jesus, She left Her home to serve. We too are expected to be at the service of the others right from the moment of our Baptism. Whenever we are blessed by God, we are invited to be at the service of others. As Mary fulfilled the will of God, so do we need to.
The first reading and the Gospel highlight the perfume of joy at the visitation.
Mother Mary acknowledges God’s special favour to Her and the She praises God for the gift God has entrusted to Her.
We meet each other not to boast about what we are but to praise God in our life. Our visits need to bring us closer to God. Gossips and speaking ill of others are not to be in our encounters with the others.
Visitation is the time of appreciating and finding good in others. There are families today broken and bruised just because of a lack of appreciation among the family members especially the elders to encourage the young ones as the younger ones recognise the presence and contributions of the elders in their life.
“When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the infant leapt in her womb, and Elizabeth, filled with the Holy Spirit cried out in a loud voice and said, ‘Most blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb’.” (Lk.1: 41-42). The visitation of Mary made Elizabeth to feel the presence of the Holy Spirit. How about ours?
Each one of us has a special gift from God for the common good and for our personal holiness. Unless we share, communicate, dialogue, and listen, we suffocate sooner or later. It is time to rise above our self-sufficiency, ingratitude, and lack of faith to meet and greet others in love and joy.
Does our visitation bring happiness and joy to others? or is it just a social protocol?
May we all become joyful messengers of love, hope and peace. May we include a Holy Rosary for the families and persons we visit. May God continue to bless our social, spiritual and business visits with all blessings. God bless you all.