+ Today we celebrate the inauguration of the “Magnificat” and a Mystery of the Rosary: today we celebrate the Feast
of the Visitation of Mary to her cousin Elizabeth. Having just become
the dwelling-place of God on earth in
her own womb (by means of the Annunciation of the Angel Gabriel to her and the
overpowering of the Holy Spirit), Mary’s first impulse is to go and help her
aged cousin, Elizabeth who is also miraculously with child (this child being
John the Baptist – who would herald his cousin Jesus when the time was right
and the years had passed).
The fact that these things
happened was just an unrecognized part of the story of Jesus’ life (and John’s)
– until this feast was formulated and promulgated in the 14th century
– by the Franciscans – who wanted to use it as a means to end the Great
Schism. It only partially did what this
intention had in mind; it brought some reprieve and healing to a divided
Church.
Just as Mary proclaimed the
greatness and glory of God – because of his very special nearness to her, not
only in her heart, but also in her body; so too each time we receive her Son in
Holy Communion we ought to be compelled and moved to proclaim his greatness and
glory as well – for he dwells in our bodies too physically (if for a short
while) but deeply in our hearts for as long as we focus on him afterwards,
meditate on that presence and sing about it in our own songs of Magnificat throughout the day!
Knowing that Jesus is around,
that he is in the world, that he can transform the world can make our days an
adventure in apostolic ministry: through us God can formulate his Kingdom, and
we can be rewarded for our efforts in cooperating with him in this work!
Let us be stalwart, generous
and creative co-creators with God today, and co-redeemers with Jesus, who, by
the action of their Spirit within us, can bring about great healing and great
peace this day to every single person we come into contact with – young or old,
male or female.
Blessed
are all who believe that what is spoken to us by the Lord will be fulfilled!
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