When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting,
the infant leaped in her womb.

luke 1:41

Luke 1:39-56

Reflection

Today’s Gospel is the Visitation of Mary to Elizabeth. Mary travels to her cousin Elizabeth’s house, and upon arrival, Elizabeth proclaims that Mary is blessed. Mary gives praise to the Lord for his goodness and mercy, and proceeds to stay with Elizabeth for three months.

When Elizabeth first hears Mary, her unborn child, John the Baptist, leaps in her womb. The reaction to simply hearing Mary’s voice is physical and full of joy. Elizabeth is even inspired by the Holy Spirit at the same time. When we encounter Mary in our lives, do we have the same reaction?

Mary is our Mother, full of more love and compassion for us than we know. She desires to bring us close to her Son, Jesus. She wants to come to us in our time of need, just like Elizabeth’s, to bring us many graces and blessings. We should strive to receive our Mother with the same joy and anticipation that Elizabeth does, for she comes to assist us in our own troubles and burdens daily.

When you are distressed or overwhelmed, who better to turn to than the Mother of God? She is the ultimate mother, knowing our every need and comforting us in a beautiful, spiritual way. Let her visit you in a special way today, and open yourself to the graces and love she wants to bestow on you.

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Saint of the Day

St. Felix of Nicosia: 1715 – 1787

St. Felix was a Capuchin friar who was known as a virtuous and holy man. Although illiterate, he memorized Scripture passages and had a particular devotion to the Eucharist. Towards the end of his life, he became very ill and eventually died from a fever. St. Felix, pray for us!