MARY VISITS ELIZABETH PLUS*Īrt for ths post on Mary’s visitation to Elizabeth: The Visitation, Jerónimo Ezquerra, by 1737, PD-US author’s life plus 100 years or less, Wikimedia Commons.ĭan is the President of the Avila Foundation, the parent organization of, the Avila Institute for Spiritual Formation, Divine Intimacy Radio and Divine Intimacy Radio – Resources Edition, Into the Deep Parish Programs, the Apostoli Viae (Apostles of the Way) Community, the High Calling Seminary Preparation Program, and the FireLight Student Leadership Formation Program, author of the award-winning book, Navigating the Interior Life – Spiritual Direction and the Journey to God, Finding God Through Meditation-St. Christ is the image of God, and if the soul does what is right and holy, it magnifies that image of God, in whose likeness it was created and, in magnifying the image of God, the soul has a share in its greatness and is exalted. The Lord is magnified, not because the human voice can add anything to God but because he is magnified within us. In another place we read: Magnify the Lord with me. The soul that succeeds in this proclaims the greatness of the Lord, just as Mary’s soul magnified the Lord and her spirit rejoiced in God her Savior. MARY VISITS ELIZABETH FREEEvery soul receives the Word of God if only it keeps chaste, remaining pure and free from sin, its modesty undefiled. Christ has only one mother in the flesh, but we all bring forth Christ in faith. Let her spirit be in each to rejoice in the Lord. Let Mary’s soul be in each of you to proclaim the greatness of the Lord. A soul that believes both conceives and brings forth the Word of God and acknowledges his works. You also are blessed because you have heard and believed. Elizabeth says: Blessed are you because you have believed. Elizabeth is filled with the Holy Spirit after conceiving John, while Mary is filled with the Holy Spirit before conceiving the Lord. Her son, who is beyond our understanding, is active in his mother in a way beyond our understanding. When John leaps for joy Elizabeth is filled with the Holy Spirit, but we know that though Mary’s spirit rejoices she does not need to be filled with the Holy Spirit. John leaps for you, and the spirit of Mary rejoices in her turn. The child leaps in the womb the mother is filled with the Holy Spirit, he fills his mother with the same Spirit. The women speak of the grace they have received while the children are active in secret, unfolding the mystery of love with the help of their mothers, who prophesy by the spirit of their sons. She is aware of Mary’s presence, but he is aware of the Lord’s: a woman aware of a woman’s presence, the forerunner aware of the pledge of our salvation. She hears with the ears of the body, but he leaps for joy at the meaning of the mystery. Elizabeth is the first to hear Mary’s voice, but John is the first to be aware of grace. Notice the contrast and the choice of words. Quickly, too, the blessings of her coming and the Lord’s presence are made clear: as soon as Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting the child leapt in her womb, and she was filled with the Holy Spirit. She goes eager in purpose, dutiful in conscience, hastening for joy.įilled with God, where would she hasten but to the heights? The Holy Spirit does not proceed by slow, laborious efforts. She does not disbelieve God’s word she feels no uncertainty over the message or doubt about the sign. When she hears this Mary sets out for the hill country. He told her of the motherhood of an old and barren woman to show that God is able to do all that he wills. When the angel revealed his message to the Virgin Mary he gave her a sign to win her trust. Mary Visits Elizabeth Feast of the Visitationįrom a Commentary on the Gospel of St.
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