The Second Joyful Mystery:
The Visitation

“When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the infant leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth, filled with the holy Spirit, cried out in a loud voice and said, ‘Most blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. And how does this happen to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?’” (Lk 1:41-43).

“During those days Mary set out and traveled to the hill country in haste to a town of Judah, where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the infant leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth, filled with the holy Spirit, cried out in a loud voice and said, ‘Most blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. And how does this happen to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For at the moment the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the infant in my womb leaped for joy. Blessed are you who believed that what was spoken to you by the Lord would be fulfilled.’ And Mary said: ‘My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord; my spirit rejoices in God my savior. For he has looked upon his handmaid’s lowliness; behold, from now on will all ages call me blessed. The Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is his name. His mercy is from age to age to those who fear him’” (Lk 1:39-50).

In the Visitation, we see more clearly the generous heart of Mary. God has granted her the unfathomable privilege of becoming the Mother of God, yet she humbly serves her cousin’s needs. And Mary no doubt worries over the likely scandal looming over her and about to devastate her entire life, yet she puts the needs of Elizabeth above her own concerns. Neither the great honors bestowed upon her nor the great threat lurking about her distract her from reaching out in charity to others. We likewise must step outside our own difficult lives and reach out in charity to others.

Briefly reflect, discuss with God, and Praise God.

Mary understands the great things the Lord has done for her. She proclaims that all generations will call her blessed. And yet she also understands that it was her lowliness that caught God’s eye; that God has done a wonderful thing and all the honor and glory belong to him alone. Whatever good she has and whatever good she receives is entirely from God, entirely his extravagant generosity, entirely for his glory. Whatever good we have, whatever good we do, and whatever good we become is entirely the undeserved, generous gift of God. All honor and glory are his.

Briefly reflect, discuss with God, and Praise God.

Mary completely trusts in the Father. The angel has forecast unbelievable and unimaginable wonders—the virgin birth—the Incarnation. She believes in God; she trusts in the Lord. The looming scandal promises to destroy her entire life—she may well be stoned! Still she believes in God; she trusts in the Lord. The Father has given her an unfathomable responsibility that she cannot hope to manage on her own—she must raise up the Messiah, the Son of the Living God! And yet she believes in God; she trusts in the Lord. We too must completely trust in the Lord, that he will provide all we need to do his will.

Briefly reflect, discuss with God, and Praise God.

How can we better model Mary’s generous and self-forgetting acts of service for others? How can we watch for the opportunities to perform these small services with greater frequency and greater love?

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Mary is thankful in all situations; there is never a hint of complaint and scarcely evidence of concern. How can we better follow her example and become more thankful, joyful disciples?

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“My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord; my spirit rejoices in God my savior” (Lk 1:46). How can you better proclaim the greatness of the Lord and rejoice in God your savior?