The Feast of the
Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary
(Zephaniah 3:14-18a; Luke 1:39-56)
Some parents say that they do not wish to baptize their
children because Baptism would prejudice the way their children look at the
world. Echoing the thought, young people
claim to suspend their belief so that they might experience the world in new
ways. The serious believer, however,
knows that these stratagems actually put one at a definite disadvantage, like not
getting eyeglasses when one is noticeably near-sighted. The gospel portrays Mary as eminently
believing and therefore able to foresee the blessings that God will accomplish
in Jesus.
Mary visits Elizabeth not to test what the angel told her
but because she believes that it is true.
Elizabeth herself recognizes this faith when she exclaims to Mary,
“Blessed are you who believed what was spoken to you by the Lord…” Then Mary voices her famous song praising God
for what will be accomplished in Jesus – remembering His promise of mercy and
filling the hungry with good things.
Dazzled by the products of science and technology, some
see faith as increasingly heavier baggage.
They want it all – the surety of faith and the autonomy of not
committing themselves to any worldview.
Some even try to rationalize the question positing that they do not have
the gift of faith. But they likely do have
faith. God has offered it to most of us
if not through our parents then through blessed companions all the way. Rather than putting it on hold, we should
allow it, as Mary does in the gospel, to bring us unmerited rewards.
