The Feast of the
Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary
(Zephaniah 3:14-18a; Luke 1:39-56)
The sportswriters seemed frustrated. They wanted the game’s most valuable player to
talk about his performance, but he continually deferred to others. His teammates’ blocking allowed him to stand
out. His family’s support was
instrumental in making him who he was.
This interview resembled, in a way, Mary’s speech in the gospel today.
In visiting her kinswoman, Mary is given a supreme
compliment. Elizabeth calls her the “most
blessed …among woman” for bearing Jesus inside her womb. At this point one would expect Mary to return
the compliment or to explain what she did to merit such an honor. But her eyes are fixed on God. Rather than speak of her own virtue or anyone
else’s, she gives all the credit to the Lord.
He “has looked with favor on his lowly servant” and “has done great
things” for her. More than that, He
always “has mercy on those who fear him.”
Most of us enjoy talking about our achievements. At times we even become vane doing so. Mary, the model disciple, reminds us that God
is the source of every good deed we do.
To sing His praises, not our own, is our role in the new evangelization.
