Reading
Luke 1:39-45
Mary set out in those days and traveled to the hill country in haste to a town of Judah, where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the infant leaped 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. And how does this happen to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For at the moment the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the infant in my womb leaped for joy. Blessed are you who believed that what was spoken to you by the Lord would be fulfilled.”
Meditation
Having received the announcement of the angel, Mary sets out "in haste" towards the house of her cousin Elizabeth. Mary's haste indicates her ready availability to God's plan and her becoming herald of salvation, she who was the first to receive the announcement from the angel.
Mary, having become God's abode, makes a journey towards the mountain that recalls that of the Ark of the Covenant (2 Sam 6:1-15) and the words that David spoke in front of it echo in those of Elizabeth: "How does this happen to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?". Mary's cousin recognizes Jesus as Lord even before her birth, surprised by the jolt of the child she carries in her womb at the voice of Mary's greeting.
Mary appears here as a true theophor, bearer of God, capable of reaching those who await salvation and of communicating Christ. Elizabeth, on the other hand, is the model, among the children of Israel, of those who can see the fulfillment of the messianic promises. Thus, after Mary's greeting, Elizabeth is filled by the Holy Spirit and blesses her cousin and the fruit of her womb.
Elizabeth's understanding of the divine events that are taking place is extraordinary and only her illuminating grace can allow her to go beyond the curtain of mystery that guards them. Her declaration of humility shows that those who are filled with the Spirit have no regard for their own "merits", but high esteem for the favor received from God.
Mary's journey teaches us that when grace works in our hearts we want to readily share it. The missionary nature of the believer can take various forms, but it is always the sign of an authentic faith. While waiting for the Lord to come, we are called by the Spirit to make us heralds of grace, diligent, even when the journey to the mountain is strenous.
Prayer
Your Spirit Lord, help us to see your plan of salvation in our lives and inflame our hearts, so that we can eternally rejoice in your glory. Amen.
- Rev. Dr. Luca Vona
