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Master·evangeli.net

Today's Gospel + short theological explanation

May 31st: Feast of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary
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Gospel text (Lk 1:39-56): 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 Mary said: “My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord; my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has looked with favor on his lowly servant(…).” Mary remained with her about three months and then returned to her home.

The Visitation (2nd Joyful Mystery)

Fr. Antoni CAROL i Hostench (Sant Cugat del Vallès, Barcelona, Spain)

Today, we witness one of the "mysteries" of Christ’s life: the visit of Mary to her cousin Elizabeth, who is pregnant with John, the Baptist. Both mothers have miraculously conceived: St. Mary, as a virgin; st. Elizabeth, barren and in her old age. After the long journey of the Virgin, —for the first time— the Messiah and his precursor meet face to face.

It marks a milestone in the history of Salvation: the Baptist, who is the last Old Testament prophet, has the honor —leaping for joy in his mother’s womb— to indicate the Savior as being already present. The eagerness to service and Mary’s humility have fostered such an important event: "the beginning" of the New Testament. Thirty years later, during Jesus ‘baptism in the Jordan (1st Luminous Mystery), that first encounter will be solemnly reiterated.

—Saint Mary, let my faith take me to humility, so I understand how much I need God to save me.