Mary's Compassion

 

 Luke 1: 39-45

Mary Visits Elizabeth

³⁹ At that time Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea, ⁴⁰ where she entered Zechariah’s home and greeted Elizabeth. ⁴¹ When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. ⁴² In a loud voice she exclaimed: “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear! ⁴³ But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? ⁴⁴ As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. ⁴⁵ Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her!”

More concerned about her cousin than herself, Mary sets out to be with Elizabeth for the last months of her pregnancy and beyond.  She bring the Babe in her womb whose presence gives joy and strength to Elizabeth, a preview of what Mary does even to this day:  brings Jesus to us and us to Jesus. Sometimes we are faced with extraordinary  demands and think that they are so far beyond us that we can never meet and resolve them.  That's when we need a visit from Mary.  May she always be there for us and may we greet her with joy as Elizabeth did.

Bro. Rene

God of compassion and strength, visit us and give us the hope of your Spirit dwelling within and around us. Help us to trust in the relationships of our lives that help us to know your abiding love and lasting peace. Enliven us to always trust in your presence, especially when we embrace our brothers and sisters in joy, as did Mary and Elizabeth. Grant this through Christ, our risen Lord. Amen.  

Rev. Brad Metz, C.S.C.