Friday, May 31, 2024

The Feast of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary

(Zephaniah 3:14-18a; Luke 1:39-56)

The term “visitation” gives this gospel episode its due dignity.  Mary’s going to see Elizabeth is not a cordial meeting of two women sharing the experience of pregnancy.  Nor is it, at least in the first instance, a demonstration of Mary’s desire to assist her aged relative in her first and inherently delicate pregnancy.  No, Mary’s journey to the hill country brings the king within her to a significant part of his kingdom. 

Jesus comes to the environs of John, his harbinger.  John duly recognizes Jesus’ kingship by leaping in Elizabeth’s womb.  His action is much like an army at a distant outpost snapping to attention when the president makes a formal visit.  Elizabeth acknowledges Jesus as her Lord.  Mary also proclaims Jesus’ kingly stature when she speaks of God doing something great for her.

We too are given reason to rejoice today.  Our Savior is making himself known in the world.  He will establish for us and for others the way to true and lasting peace.

Wednesday, May 31, 2023

 Feast of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary

 (Zephaniah 3:14-18a; Luke 1:39-56)

 Visits usually are said to be visitations when they are pre-planned and follow a prescribed form.  A bishop makes visitations to parishes to check financial and sacramental records.  Families have visitation rights to see their loved ones in prison.  Today the Church celebrates the most famous visitation of all: Mary going to the home of her kinswoman Elizabeth.  Neither planned nor formal, her visit qualifies as a visitation because of the dignity of the one whom she carries in her womb.

Mary bears the Messiah, the anointed king of Israel.  She takes him to meet one who will become a leading prophet of the country with whom he is to collaborate.  Most people, of course, do not realize what is happening.  But the child-prophet within Elizabeth’s womb has no trouble recognizing his lord.  He leaps for joy in his presence.  Mary and Jesus will not stay very long, but the two –Jesus and John – will meet again.

The same Jesus makes more than a visitation to us.  With the Father and the Holy Spirit he takes up residence in our souls.  That truth should make us joyful like John.  We should also turn to him in every need.  Whether to resist temptation or to find work, he is there to help us.  

Tuesday, May 31, 2022

 Feast of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary

(Zephaniah 3:14-18a; Luke 1:39-56)

In the Letter of James, the author admonishes his readers to be doers, not just hearers, of God’s word.  He could have used Mary as an example.  Today’s gospel relates how she set out in haste with the angel’s report of Elizabeth’s pregnancy.  Also, Mary had told the angel that she would receive the Son of God as his words proposed. 

Mary is not the only one in the reading to defer to God’s word.  As she enters Elizabeth’s presence, the child within Elizabeth salutes the child within Mary.  Elizabeth’s child, John, recognizes that Jesus is God’s word made flesh and leaps for joy.

God’s word comes to us as well.  We hear it, among other places, at mass and in our consciences.  It comes as much to help us as to inform us.  We should leap for joy too.  It brings us the hope good news of salvation.

Friday, May 31, 2019

The Feast of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary

(Zephaniah 3:14-18a; Luke 1:39-56)

Visits usually are said to be visitations when they are pre-planned and follow a prescribed form.  A bishop makes visitations to parishes to check financial and sacramental records.  Families have visitation rights to see their loved ones in prison.  Today the Church celebrates the most famous visitation of all: Mary going to the home of her kinswoman Elizabeth.  Neither planned nor formal, her visit qualifies as a visitation because of the dignity of the one whom she carries in her womb.

Mary bears the Messiah, the anointed king of Israel.  She takes him to meet the prophet of the country with whom he is to collaborate.  Most people, of course, do not realize what is happening.  But the child-prophet within Elizabeth’s womb has no trouble making recognizing his lord.  He leaps for joy in his presence.  Mary and Jesus will not stay very long, but the two –Jesus and John – will meet again.

The same Jesus makes more than a visitation to us.  With the Father and the Holy Spirit he makes our souls a place of residence.  That truth should make us joyful like John.  We should also turn to him in every need.  Whether to resist temptation or to find work, he is there to help us.  

Wednesday, August 15, 2018

Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary

(Revelation 11:19a.12:1-6a.10ab; I Corinthians 15:20-27; Luke 1:39-56)

We might think that the Church honors Mary just for being the mother of Jesus.  As we too well know from the recent “royal wedding,” relations to the sovereign have special status.  But Mary’s relationship with Jesus runs deeper than blood.  The Church recognizes her as the first and most committed evangelizer.  In today’s gospel passage Mary proclaims the good news of Jesus before he is born!

Mary sings of how God saves the poor, among whom she considers herself. She says that God has “’has lifted up the lowly’” and “’has filled the hungry with good things.’”  This is very good news for all who have waited patiently for the Messiah.  Not only the destitute but also the faithful who generously help the needy can now rejoice.

Mary is rewarded for her own faithful attentiveness to God with a special place in heaven.  She occupies this space body and soul according to the ancient tradition of the Church.  We gladly sing her praises, follow her example, and pray for her intercession before the Almighty.

Thursday, May 31, 2018

The Feast of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary

(Zephaniah 3:14-18a; Luke 1:39-56)

The sportswriters were frustrated.  They wanted the star athlete to talk about himself, but he continually deferred to others.  His teammates’ play allowed him to stand out.  His family’s support was instrumental in making him who he was.  The dialogue 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.  Alternatively, she might explain her feelings in being given such an honor.  But her eyes are fixed on God.  She does not speak of her own virtue or anyone else’s.  Instead, she gives all the credit to the Lord.  He “has looked with favor on his lowly servant.”  He “has done great things” for her.  He always “has mercy on those who fear him.”

Most of us enjoy talking about our achievements so much that we slip into vanity.  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 as agents in the new evangelization.

Wednesday, May 31, 2017

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.

Tuesday, May 31, 2016

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. 

Friday, May 31, 2013

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 try to put it on hold, we would rationally allow it, as Mary does in the gospel, to bring us unmerited rewards.

Thursday, May 31, 2012

The Feast of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary


(Zephaniah 3:14-18a; Luke 1:39-56)

The sportswriters were frustrated. They wanted the star athlete to talk about himself, but he continually deferred to others. His teammates’ play allowed him to stand out. His family’s support was instrumental in making him who he was. The dialogue 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.” He “has done great things” for her. He always “has mercy on those who fear him.”

Most of us enjoy talking about our achievements so much that often enough we slip into vanity. 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 as agents in the new evangelization.

Tuesday, May 31, 2011

The Feast of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary

(Romans 12:9-16; Luke 1:39-56)

Titian and Tintoretto are two celebrated Venetian Renaissance painters. Their comparative styles have been demonstrated in their depictions of Mary’s Annunciation. Titian portrays a reflective woman in a well-pointed apartment. Tintoretto’s “Annunciation,” on the other hand, shows a common girl in a rundown house utterly surprised by good news.

In character with Tintoretto’s virgin, Mary hastens to visit Elizabeth who is having a much unexpected pregnancy. In doing so, she does more than offer services to an elderly matron. She quite spontaneously responds to the word of God. In both ways, Mary models discipleship. We too should act on God’s word by offering a helping hand to the needy.

But Mary’s greatness goes further. She proclaims the goodness of God with words as well as deeds. She offers her own experience as a testimony of God’s special love for the poor. We likewise should not hesitate to tell others how God has blessed us.

Monday, May 31, 2010

The Feast of the Visitation

(Zephaniah 3:14-18a; Luke 1:39-56)

Forty years ago two Peace Corps volunteers went on an expedition upriver in the Malaysian state of Sarawak. They wanted to meet the area’s native Iban people who lived with extended families in longhouses. Ibans at one point in history had been notorious headhunters but became pacified long before the Peace Corps volunteers arrived. Many converted to Christianity. The volunteers were advised to take gifts of canned food to the people who often ate little beyond a daily ration of rice. They were also told that they could expect hospitality. As it turned out, they were more than graciously received, but the Ibans would not accept the food for their own use. Rather they served it to their guests whom they seemed delighted to host so that their children might know some foreigners.

The meeting of the Peace Corps volunteers with the Ibans mirrors in a way Mary’s visit to Elizabeth. Mary is poor as she implies with the words, “He has looked with favor on his lowly servant.” Yet the lack of material wealth is not a curse for her because she possesses God’s blessing. We should see Mary as representing the faithful poor or anawim of Israel who long awaited the Messiah. Now he has arrived and Mary, his mother, is the first to feel the excitement of his presence. Knowing that he is there fills Mary and Elizabeth with a joy that the treasures of Egypt could not provide. He is going to bring justice to the people, freedom to the oppressed, health to sick. The fidelity of the thousands like these two women is vindicated.

The promise of the Messiah has been fulfilled in the ministry of Jesus, especially in his paschal victory. Now stirred by that triumph, Christians eagerly await his return in glory. Like the Ibans of Sarawak, we show kindness to neighbors and make every effort possible for the development of our children. We know that God will bless us when he comes again. Indeed, He blesses us continually with graces that far exceed the luxuries that money can buy.

Homilette for Friday, August 15, 2008

Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary

(I Corinthians 15:20-27; Luke 1:39-56)

The biblical scholar Fr. Raymond E. Brown was concerned about ecumenical relations until his untimely death ten years ago. He used to reassure Protestants that what the Catholic Church claims about Mary is usually what is envisioned for all Christians. For example, the Church’s doctrine that Mary was assumed body and soul into heaven is essentially no different from the destiny of all the faithful at the end of time. The reading from First Corinthians hints at this. Christ was raised as the first fruits of God’s redemption. Catholics see the “proper order” that St. Paul alludes to here as having Mary, the mother of Christ, raised after him but before others.

The glorious destiny of our bodies gives added reason for us to treat them well. St. Paul in the same letter to the Corinthians presents the primary reason. Our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit and we are not to profane them by lewd conduct. Nor should we abuse them with excessive food and drink. While we’re at it, we might also say that respect for our bodies includes frequent exercise, sufficient rest, and a balanced diet.

Psychologists have noted how having overweight friends induces many people to pile on the pounds. Of course, the resolution of this problem is not cutting ties with fat people but modeling for them healthy eating habits. One more thing: since we tend to emulate our friends, we might make special friends with Mary. Just following her in today’s gospel is an inspiration. She quickly goes to visit her relative Elizabeth when she hears of the latter’s unexpected pregnancy. She praises God for all the good that happens to her. And she announces the good news of salvation. Could we imagine a better person to have as a friend?