Sacred Stones, Sacred Stories

“My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord;
 my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
 for he has looked with favor on his lowly servant.
 From this day all generations will call me blessed: 
the Almighty has done great things for me,
 and holy is his Name.” (Luke 1:46-49)

Mary traveled several days to visit her cousin, Elizabeth, to prove to herself that the angel told the truth when it was claimed that Elizabeth, too, was with child. (Luke 1:44)

Mary’s response focuses attention on God’s handiwork. Indeed, her soul and her total being proclaimed the greatness of God, not for her family alone, not only for Israel, but for the entire world.

God takes action in our day and time as well through miracles and through the mystical body of Jesus, the church. The favor of God rests upon all those who do good, who love beyond limits, who work to bring peace in a peaceable way, who trust in grace. The Beatitudes teach us how to do just that, to be visitators of blessedness. (Matthew 5: 3-12)

May we have eyes that see and hearts that believe so that we may know how blessed we are by being the children of Almighty God. Let us respond like Elizabeth and say, “And how does this happen to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?…Blessed are you who believed that what was spoken to you by the Lord would be fulfilled.” (Luke 1: 43,45)

And like Mary, we too can acclaim, “The Almighty has done great things for me, and holy is the name of God.” (Luke 1: 49)

(above) The Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary is characterized in this beautiful mosaic, which appears in the nave of our Clyde Adoration Chapel.

Today we remember the visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary to her cousin, Elizabeth.  This visit is all about hospitality.  However, the story does not begin here, but with the Annunciation three months ago.

Mary gave hospitality to God, agreeing to bear Jesus in her womb for nine months and in her heart forever.  This inauguration of “God with us” allows us to bear witness to God and divine grace to others.  It also allows us to recognize the divine in ourselves and others.  As Elizabeth acclaimed of Mary, “Blessed are you among women and blessed is the fruit of your womb.”  Mary’s reply, the Magnificat, draws our attention and gratefulness to God the Almighty, the source of our creaturehood.

Let us offer hospitality to God and allow the grace from this eternal visitation to embrace people of all places, races and creeds.  Let us ask “God with us” to help us be co-builders of the kingdom of God.