Thanks for the Visitation

The Roman Catholic Lectionary today offers texts which shed light on the person of Mary who will become the Mother of Jesus. The feast of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary to Elizabeth marks the recognition by Mary of the great joy which her cousin Elizabeth is experiencing in carrying a child after many barren years. The blessing is proclaimed in the words of the prophet Zephania and is also a celebration of the continuing and promised graciousness of God in the Covenant relationship with Israel. The character of Mary’s proclamation is magnificent. The prayer of praise is known as the Magnificat. The role of Mary as model for all of living the deeply intimate relationship with which the Divine seeks to encompass humanity today reveals the centrality of thanksgiving to that New Life in the Spirit. The Magnificat highlights the many aspects of everyday life in which the Presence of the Divine acts in human affairs. The response to this gracious love can only be thanksgiving. This thanksgiving also drips from the words of the prophet Isaiah as he considers the relationship God has maintained with Israel. Give thanks!