Lk 1:39-56
Mary’s Visitation to Elizabeth makes the entire gospel more human. It is the sort of event that could, and does, occur in any of our lives. Reading between the lines fleshes out the story’s humanity.
Upon learning that she was to be the Mother of Jesus, Mary went to visit her relative Elizabeth who was in her sixth month of pregnancy. Kinship was understood differently in the Ancient Near East than it is today, thus, we will never know how Mary and Elizabeth were related.
Mary did not have an easy time traveling no matter how sentimental painted images are. It was about 80 miles from Nazareth to Elizabeth's house in Hebron
as the crow flies. It was closer to 100 miles when following established routes.
To get an idea of the distance, walk out of the driveway here, make a right and stop in Hartford, CT.
Someone traveling unencumbered on foot could cover about 20 miles a day. Thus, Mary's journey to visit Elizabeth would have taken a minimum of five to seven days. But, given that the dangers of being on the road were as risky then as they are today. she would have traveled with a caravan rather than alone.
The trek could have taken much longer than seven days.
But eventually there they were, two women, one older than the other. What did they talk about? Did Mary stay until John's birth as pious legend holds or did she leave before John’s birth? What did Mary think about on her return trip to Nazareth, a trip that was no shorter than the one from Nazareth to Elizabeth’s home. And Mary was now three months pregnant.
Mary's prayer in response to Elizabeth’s greeting, known as the Magnificat, is recited every evening at vespers. Over the centuries it has been set to music by many composers.
"Magnificat anima meo Dominum
Et exsultavit spiritus meus
in Deo salutaris meo."
"My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord,
my spirit rejoices in God my savior."
Certain lilies that must never be gilded. Mary's Magnificat is one of them. The prayer speaks of quiet contemplation and profound understanding of God's will.
It is meant for the solitude of our souls and the silence of our hearts. It does not require academic debate, acrimonious argument, or a gender-neutral feminist translation. The Magnificat requires nothing but daily repetition and frequent meditation.
Mary and Elizabeth demonstrate fidelity even when things don't seem to fit together. They are examples fidelity despite dramatic and unexpected life changes. They are models for those who find themselves in places and situations they never expected.
Reread the Magnificat later today. Spend some time sitting with these two women. Watch them go about their tasks. Listen to their conversation.
Pay attention to their silences as they sat in each other’s presence.
" . . . the Lord has done great things for me."
The Lord has done great things for all of us.
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The Visitation is one of my favorite Marian feasts,, one nof the reasons being the gospel. Sometimes I am sorely tempted to recited the Magnificat from memory. But I also know better.
The photos are from one of the many nighttime walks I took in the city as late as 1 AM and as early as 5 AM. Total safety.
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