+ Our gospel passage today speaks to us of the outgoing nature of
the realization that God is present to us in an intimate way. Immediately after Mary gives
her consent and Christ becomes incarnate in her womb – her first motivational
instinct is to go to her cousin Elizabeth who is also with child, and in her
old age.
This is the dynamic that ought
to be in play each time we receive the Lord almost as intimately, privately and
personally in holy communion. While it is recommended that we pause for a few
moments both right after reception or right after mass to ponder the magnitude
of the Presence we now have deep in our hearts and souls, the Presence of our
Creator, Sustainer, and Sanctifier, our Healer, our Lover, our Friend: Jesus,
Emmanuel, God-with-us until the end of time.
But then shortly after that,
we are “sent forth from the Mass” enlightened and strengthened to let our Light
shine, the Light of Christ, through our words and deeds done for love of him.
And once we set ourselves in motion – like Mary did in hastening to Elizabeth’s
side – we will find we have all the power, stamina and grace we need to help
meet the needs of others God places directly in our path this day.
God has spoken promises to us
to – promises of sins forgiven, Paradise to be gained, eternal life of joy and
superabundance to be enjoyed – Elizabeth can say to us today as she said to
Mary so long ago – “Blessed are you who believed that what was spoken to you by
the Lord would be fulfilled!”
O
Emmanuel, our King and Giver of Law: come to save us, Lord our God!
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