![]() We can translate Elizabeth’s words as “Blessed is she who believed.” Mary is blessed despite all expectations her social status is reversed. The word used here is the same as what Jesus used to bless people in the beatitudes. Mary is blessed because she believed there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her by the Lord. Therefore, the present and the future generation will call Mary blessed, speaking well of her and her child. Mary is blessed because of what is there in her womb – referring to Jesus. Is Mary blessed among women because of her status as the Mother of the Lord? Yes. In addition, Mary is an unmarried pregnant girl who visits Elizabeth perhaps to reduce her visibility of a shameful pregnancy – but the Gospel does not talk about this. Mary is young, so she is the one the more senior people would expect deference. In the cultural context, an older woman would receive the honor. Why would Elizabeth express honor at Mary’s Visit? Think about it, given the age difference between Mary and Elizabeth it appears Elizabeth is a generation older, perhaps Mary’s aunt. But the scripture is not giving us details of relationship status. We usually think John is Jesus’ cousin based on Luke 1:36. Luke identifies Elizabeth as Mary’s relative. But it can also be a sign of respect shown by a younger woman to her elder. Or did she travel to her relative to take shelter from the society that would ostracize her?īut the scripture states that Mary visited the home of Zechariah and Elizabeth – perhaps because Elizabeth’s pregnancy proceeded Mary’s by six months – and again, perhaps Mary would help the newborn. Such a girl would better hide indoors rather than take a journey to another town. A young unmarried girl found pregnant would be a cause of social shame. But there are implications for her response in a patriarchal society. ![]() What was the hurry? Mary said yes to the announcement of the Angel to be the Mother of the Lord. ![]() The Gospel speaks about Mary going to visit Elizabeth in haste. The spotlight is on Mary and Elizabeth, two lowly and shamed women God has chosen to transform the world. It shows God is at work overthrowing structures and expectations. The conversation reveals Jesus is greater than John. ![]() There is an intimate conversation between Mary and Elizabeth. Mary visits after learning about the pregnancy of Elizabeth from the Angel. Is Mary running away to take shelter? Rather than helping? Is Elizabeth Mary’s cousin? How does Mary Come to Know Elizabeth’s pregnancy? There are many things that we tend to skip as we recall Mary’s visit to Elizabeth. But what did you Miss Out? (Luke 1:39-56). And often, as in the Visitation, it’s a beautiful combination of the two.You have heard the narrative about Mary’s Visit to Elizabeth. Sometimes we give in these encounters, and sometimes we receive. We all live and thrive in relation to others. Ultimately, the Visitation reminds us that no one is an island. Pope John Paul II acknowledged this in a 1997 homily when he reflected on the Visitation and said, “In this act of human solidarity, Mary demonstrated that authentic charity which grows within us when Christ is present.” Remember, too, that Mary is carrying Christ inside her, which gives another layer of meaning to her decision to offer support to her cousin. Sometimes, our physical presence is the best gift we can give another person. Mary’s trip also demonstrates the call of community. Mary must have been bursting to talk to a woman who could personally understand her excitement, her wonder, and probably her nervousness, too. She’s also learned that her cousin Elizabeth, believed to be too old to conceive, is expecting as well. Why does she do it? Well, think about what has just happened: She’s been told that she is pregnant by the power of the Holy Spirit. For Mary, the trip would have been especially grueling: She traveled to a town 80 miles away, likely on a donkey, without the comfort of paved roads, air conditioning, or shock absorbers. Q: Why does Mary visit her cousin Elizabeth? It doesn’t make sense to me for a pregnant woman to take such a long journey.Īny woman who has traveled while pregnant can tell you that it isn’t fun.
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