Love and Presence

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today, the Feast of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, invite us to rejoice with the joy that is associated with our decisions to “go with haste” to help people in need with our love and attention.

Love in Presence

The reading from the Prophet Zephaniah is a Song of Joy as the nations are punished and Jerusalem is restored.

The reading from the Letter of Paul to the Romans describes the marks of the true Christian in Mutual Love.

* [12:14–21] Since God has justified the believers, it is not necessary for them to take justice into their own hands by taking vengeance. God will ultimately deal justly with all, including those who inflict injury on the believers. This question of personal rights as a matter of justice prepares the way for more detailed consideration of the state as adjudicator. (Romans, CHAPTER 12, n.d.)

The psalm response is from Isaiah 12:2-6.

* [12:1–6] Israel’s thanksgiving to the Lord, expressed in language like that of the Psalms. (Isaiah, CHAPTER 12, n.d.)

In the Gospel of Luke, Mary Visits Elizabeth and proclaims the Canticle of Mary.

* [1:43] Even before his birth, Jesus is identified in Luke as the Lord.

* [1:45] Blessed are you who believed: Luke portrays Mary as a believer whose faith stands in contrast to the disbelief of Zechariah (Lk 1:20). Mary’s role as believer in the infancy narrative should be seen in connection with the explicit mention of her presence among “those who believed” after the resurrection at the beginning of the Acts of the Apostles (Acts 1:14).

* [1:46–55] Although Mary is praised for being the mother of the Lord and because of her belief, she reacts as the servant in a psalm of praise, the Magnificat. Because there is no specific connection of the canticle to the context of Mary’s pregnancy and her visit to Elizabeth, the Magnificat (with the possible exception of v. 48) may have been a Jewish Christian hymn that Luke found appropriate at this point in his story. Even if not composed by Luke, it fits in well with themes found elsewhere in Luke: joy and exultation in the Lord; the lowly being singled out for God’s favor; the reversal of human fortunes; the fulfillment of Old Testament promises. The loose connection between the hymn and the context is further seen in the fact that a few Old Latin manuscripts identify the speaker of the hymn as Elizabeth, even though the overwhelming textual evidence makes Mary the speaker. (Luke, CHAPTER 1 | USCCB, n.d.)

Sr. Candice Tucci, OSF, comments that An Angel spoke. God spoke. Each woman listened and said YES! A YES to MYSTERY and WONDER! 

Among you is the great and Holy One of Israel!
Thank you, Mary! Thank you, Elizabeth! Thank you, John! Thank you, Jesus!

Have you met them? Have you heard the WORD?
Has your heart leapt in Mystery with joy ?
Blessed are you who believed
That what was spoken to you by the Lord
Would be fulfilled!                            Luke 1:56

WONDER! (Tucci, 2017)

Don Schwager quotes “John prophecies from the womb,” by Maximus of Turin (died between 408-423 AD)

"Not yet born, already John prophesies and, while still in the enclosure of his mother's womb, confesses the coming of Christ with movements of joy - since he could not do so with his voice. As Elizabeth says to holy Mary, 'As soon as you greeted me, the child in my womb exulted for joy.' John exults, then, before he is born. Before his eyes can see what the world looks like, he can recognize the Lord of the world with his spirit. In this regard, I think that the prophetic phrase is appropriate: 'Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you came forth from the womb I sanctified you' (Jeremiah 1:5). Thus we ought not to marvel that after Herod put him in prison, he continued to announce Christ to his disciples from his confinement, when even confined in the womb he preached the same Lord by his movements." (excerpt from SERMON 5.4) (Schwager, 2017)

The Word Among Us Meditation on Luke 1:39-56 comments that we call Mary the model disciple because, among other things, she echoes God’s style of loving. As God hastened to us in the Incarnation, so Mary hastened to Elizabeth at the Visitation. Though Jesus was just beginning to grow in her womb, Mary was already responding to her vocation. Rather than staying home in Nazareth preparing for the birth of her son, she put someone else first. Moved by the Spirit, she ran to Elizabeth to serve her. In the flesh. In person.

Of course, the Holy Spirit was present in the Visitation in a unique way, but the same Spirit still flows through you when you take the time to be with another person. Consider the difference your embrace can make in a hospital room or funeral parlor. Or how your invitation to coffee might come at just the right time. Or how giving your undivided attention to your child, parent, or friend—especially when you are tired—can be a powerful reflection of God’s closeness.

In a world filled with distractions, let Mary show you God’s way of loving.

“Jesus, help me to be present to my loved ones just as Mary was present to Elizabeth.” (Meditation on Luke 1:39-56, 2017)

Friar Jude Winkler notes that the Prophet Zephaniah proclaims that we have the Lord in our midst and Paul exhorts the Romans to live charitably and to think of the needs of others in charity. The geography of Mary’s visitation to Elizabeth, traditionally to Ein Karem, near Jerusalem and across the valley from Abu Gosh, where the Ark of the Covenant rested in the time of David connects with the Magnificat to identify Mary as the New Ark of the Covenant and the “Queen of the anawim”. Friar Jude reminds us that Mary is our example of putting our own concerns in perspective as we respond to the needs of others.

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, considers Jesus’ response to the question, “Which is the first of all the commandments?”

I think the scribe is asking a very good question. After all is said and done, it comes down to loving God and loving our neighbor—and that implies loving ourselves. If I said this without quoting Jesus, I could be accused of oversimplifying or ignoring some of the important commandments, but thank God Jesus said it first. He taught that it’s all about love, and in the end, that’s all we’re all going to be judged for. Did we love? Did we love life? Did we love ourselves? Did we love God and did we love our neighbor? Concentrating on that takes just about our whole lifetime and we won’t have much time left over to worry about what other people are doing or not doing. Our job is to love God, love ourselves, and love our neighbor. (Rohr, 2017)

We are grateful for the experience of the Presence of God in our action to show love to those we encounter on our journey.

References

Isaiah, CHAPTER 12. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved May 31, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/isaiah/12?2 

Luke, CHAPTER 1 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved May 31, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/luke/1?39 

Meditation on Luke 1:39-56. (2017, November 9). YouTube: Home. Retrieved May 31, 2024, from https://wau.org/meditations/2024/05/31/982064/ 

Rohr, R. (2017, November 9). Loving Large Is Our Life’s Work. CAC Daily Meditations. Retrieved May 31, 2024, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/loving-large-is-our-lifes-work/ 

Romans, CHAPTER 12. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved May 31, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/romans/12?9 

Schwager, D. (2017, November 9). Joyful Anticipation of the Messiah. Daily Scripture net. Retrieved May 31, 2024, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2024&date=may31a 

Tucci, C. (2017, November 9). Daily Reflection Of Creighton University's Online Ministries. Creighton University's Online Ministries. Retrieved May 31, 2024, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/053124.html 

Zephaniah, CHAPTER 3 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved May 31, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/zephaniah/3?14 

 

A Vision for God’s People

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today remind us of our vocation to live as servants of God who respond to the nudges of the Spirit to seek help from and offer support to our community.

Building Vision

In the reading from the First Letter of Peter we are recognized as God’s House and People who live as servants of God.

* [2:1–3] Growth toward salvation is seen here as two steps: first, stripping away all that is contrary to the new life in Christ; second, the nourishment (pure spiritual milk) that the newly baptized have received.

* [2:3] Tasted that the Lord is good: cf. Ps 34:8.

* [2:4–8] Christ is the cornerstone (cf. Is 28:16) that is the foundation of the spiritual edifice of the Christian community (1 Pt 2:5). To unbelievers, Christ is an obstacle and a stumbling block on which they are destined to fall (1 Pt 2:8); cf. Rom 11:11.

* [2:5] Let yourselves be built: the form of the Greek word could also be indicative passive, “you are being built” (cf. 2 Pt 2:9).

* [2:9–10] The prerogatives of ancient Israel mentioned here are now more fully and fittingly applied to the Christian people: “a chosen race” (cf. Is 43:20–21) indicates their divine election (Eph 1:4–6); “a royal priesthood” (cf. Ex 19:6) to serve and worship God in Christ, thus continuing the priestly functions of his life, passion, and resurrection; “a holy nation” (Ex 19:6) reserved for God, a people he claims for his own (cf. Mal 3:17) in virtue of their baptism into his death and resurrection. This transcends all natural and national divisions and unites the people into one community to glorify the one who led them from the darkness of paganism to the light of faith in Christ. From being “no people” deprived of all mercy, they have become the very people of God, the chosen recipients of his mercy (cf. Hos 1:9; 2:23). (1 Peter, CHAPTER 2 | USCCB, n.d.)

Psalm 100 declares all Lands are summoned to Praise God.

* [Psalm 100] A hymn inviting the people to enter the Temple courts with thank offerings for the God who created them.

* [100:3] Although the people call on all the nations of the world to join in their hymn, they are conscious of being the chosen people of God. (Psalms, PSALM 100 | USCCB, n.d.)

The Gospel of Mark describes the healing of Blind Bartimaeus.

* [10:46–52] See notes on Mt 9:27–31 and 20:29–34. (Mark, CHAPTER 10 | USCCB, n.d.)

* [9:27] Son of David: this messianic title is connected once with the healing power of Jesus in Mark (Mk 10:47–48) and Luke (Lk 18:38–39) but more frequently in Matthew (see also Mt 12:23; 15:22; 20:30–31). (Matthew, CHAPTER 9 | USCCB, n.d.)

Cindy Murphy McMahon comments on how her infant granddaughter shows her the importance of trust. She trusts that her parents, grandparents, and caregivers will be there for her.

In today’s first reading Peter tells us, now that we “have tasted that the Lord is good,” to long for pure spiritual milk, like newborn infants. Just as my baby granddaughter looks lovingly, longingly, into my eyes as I feed her the bottle filled with the pure milk she so desperately desires, I need to lovingly gaze upon Jesus in the many ways he is available to me: in the Eucharist, in his Word, in the people around me, in people in need, in nature, in community with other Christians. Peter says that doing so will help build a follower of Christ into a spiritual house for the Lord.

I need to trust Jesus the way my grandbaby trusts me, and I need to be aware that Jesus’ love surrounds me and sustains me the way my granddaughter realizes her vulnerability and dependence. (Murphy McMahon, n.d.)

Don Schwager quotes “Your Word will enlighten and save me,” by Clement of Alexandria, 150-215 A.D.

"The commandment of the Lord shines clearly, enlightening the eyes. Receive Christ, receive power to see, receive your light, that you may plainly recognize both God and man. More delightful than gold and precious stones, more desirable than honey and the honeycomb is the Word that has enlightened us (Psalm 19:10). How could he not be desirable, who illumined minds buried in darkness, and endowed with clear vision 'the light-bearing eyes' of the soul? ... Sing his praises, then, Lord, and make known to me your Father, who is God. Your Word will save me, your song instruct me. I have gone astray in my search for God; but now that you light my path, Lord, I find God through you, and receive the Father from you, I become co-heir with you, since you were not ashamed to own me as your brother. Let us, then, shake off forgetfulness of truth, shake off the mist of ignorance and darkness that dims our eyes, and contemplate the true God, after first raising this song of praise to him: 'All hail, O light!' For upon us buried in darkness, imprisoned in the shadow of death, a heavenly light has shone, a light of a clarity surpassing the sun's, and of a sweetness exceeding any this earthly life can offer." (excerpt from EXHORTATION TO THE GREEKS 11.8) (Schwager, 2024)

The Word Among Us Meditation on 1 Peter 2:2-5, 9-12 comments that there is no more life-giving spiritual food available to us than the Eucharist. At Mass, as we listen to the word of God and as we “taste” the goodness of Jesus himself in his Body and Blood, we are nourished and empowered to follow him. And that makes us hunger even more for God’s presence because we realize what a difference it makes in our lives.

Yet even when you receive the sacraments regularly, you might feel as if your growth in faith and understanding is painstakingly slow. But “growing into salvation” can be like time-lapse photography of a seed sprouting, pushing through the soil, forming leaves and buds, and finally unfolding into the beautiful flower that God intended it to be. You are growing even if you can’t see every step of the process.

So keep hungering for that “pure spiritual milk” of God’s goodness. Drink deeply and know that as you quench your thirst, it will have an effect in your life!

“Lord, I long for your nourishment. Thank you that you never stop working in me.” (Meditation on 1 Peter 2:2-5, 9-12, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler discusses the images used in 1 Peter of spiritual milk, living stone, cornerstone, chosen race, and royal priesthood. These terms may have been originally applied to the Hebrews but now are connected to Gentiles. Friar Jude reminds us of the value of praying with insistence. Blind Bartimaeus is saved because he is spiritually healed as well as being physically healed.

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, recalls Howard Thurman (1899–1981) who reflected that contemplation helped him distinguish between pity and compassion.

God is making room in my heart for compassion: the awareness that where my life begins is where your life begins; the awareness that … your needs cannot be separated from … my needs; the awareness that the joys of my heart are never mine alone—nor are my sorrows. I struggle against the work of God in my heart; I want to be let alone. I want my boundaries to remain fixed, that I may be at rest. But even now, as I turn to [God] in the quietness, [God’s] work in me is ever the same.  

God is at work enlarging the boundaries of my heart. [1] (Rohr, n.d.)

We have piety, study, and action as guidelines for the Way in which we can make progress in our journey as disciples of the Son of David who seek to respond to the needs of those we encounter with compassion.

References

Mark, CHAPTER 10 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved May 30, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/mark/10?46 

Matthew, CHAPTER 9 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved May 30, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/matthew/9? 

Meditation on 1 Peter 2:2-5, 9-12. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved May 30, 2024, from https://wau.org/meditations/2024/05/30/981411/ 

Murphy McMahon, C. (n.d.). Daily Reflection Of Creighton University's Online Ministries. Creighton University's Online Ministries. Retrieved May 30, 2024, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/053024.html 

1 Peter, CHAPTER 2 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved May 30, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/1peter/2? 

Psalms, PSALM 100 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved May 30, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/100?2 

Rohr, R. (n.d.). Compassion Not Pity. CAC Daily Meditations. Retrieved May 30, 2024, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/compassion-not-pity/ 

Schwager, D. (2024, May 29). Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved May 30, 2024, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2024&date=may30