The Visitation
I. The Gospel gives us the history of the Visitation as an important episode in the development of the divine action. Heaven, in the person of the archangel, had paid homage to Our Lady; now, the earth, in the person of St. Elizabeth, recognizes her as “the Mother of my Lord” and God. The venerable and holy woman, wife of the priest of God, humbles herself before her girl-relative, the spouse of the working-man. It is more than a queen who has condescended to come to her: “Whence is this to me that the mother of my Lord should visit me?” (Luke i. 43). Again the benediction of the angel is renewed: “Blessed art thou amongst women,” and again, as in Genesis and the Apocalypse, the woman is associated inseparably with the Child: “and blessed is the fruit of thy womb” (Luke i. 42). It was from the revelation of the Holy Ghost that St. Elizabeth understood the mystery; under His inspiration she spoke the words of God. These words form the salutation which all those who recognize the Divinity of Jesus have addressed to His Mother ever since. Make frequent use of the words which the Holy Spirit Himself puts into your mouth. Imitate the inspired woman in the veneration which she, in the name of all generations to come, offered to the Mother of God. It is one of the most efficient ways of honouring Our Lord’s Incarnation.
II. The Visitation is not merely an act of charity on the part of the Blessed Virgin towards her aged kinswoman, but it is an exhibition of redeeming power shown by Our Lord while as yet unborn. No sooner had He assumed human nature than He moved His Blessed Mother to convey Him with all haste into the mountains of Judea, that He might, without delay, inaugurate His work in souls by sanctifying His Precursor, John the Baptist. That infant, also unborn, recognized the presence of his Saviour; he was delivered from original sin, and his mother was filled with the Holy Ghost. “Behold, as soon as the voice of thy salutation sounded in my ears, the infant in my womb leaped with joy” (Luke i. 44). Of St. John, as well as of Abraham, Our Lord could say: “He rejoiced that he might see My day: he saw it and was glad” (John viii. 56). It is significant that the first sanctifying action of the Redeemer was wrought by means of the Blessed Virgin. Her charity and humility, under divine inspiration, moved her to visit St. Elizabeth; and this afforded Our Lord the opportunity of redeeming a soul from sin. The events of the Gospels are official actions, and not merely personal and private. The Visitation shows us the permanent function of the Blessed Virgin in the economy of Redemption. She is the instrument of Jesus and a channel of grace. Do not forget this office of hers. Ask her to intercede for you, to bring Jesus to your heart, and to help you to recognize Him and rejoice in your new spiritual birth.
III. The Visitation was indicated prophetically of old, when the Ark of God was brought from Gabaa of Benjamin to the house of Obededom. It abode there for “three months, and the Lord blessed Obededom and all his household” (2 Kings vi. 11). So the Blessed Virgin remained three months in the house of Zachary. She was the true Ark of the Covenant, containing the Word of God, not graven on stones, but enshrined in the flesh of His Sacred Humanity. What treasures of blessing, light and grace, this visit must have brought to Zachary and Elizabeth; what continual increase of sanctification to the Precursor, preparing him for his life of austerity and his preaching of the Redeemer! The presence of Mary was the communication of Jesus; He was manifested in her action and virtues. So will it be with you. Belief in Jesus Christ involves devotion and love towards His Blessed Mother. Fervent recognition of her greatness is homage to Our Lord, and will bring you nearer to Him. Let Jesus and His Mother dwell in your heart, and they will fill it with benediction.
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