MARY 

                      MOTHER OF GOD                                

                                           REFLECTIONS ON THE GOSPEL

                                                         BLESSED IS SHE

                                                         WHO BELIEVED

Today’s Gospel brings us to the threshold of Jesus’ birth. Presuming our knowledge of the Annunciation to Mary, it describes the meeting between Mary and her cousin, Elizabeth. In this ‘Visitation’ story the two women share their remarkable experience, and faith overflows in new insight, knowledge and celebration.

Mary has surrendered in faith to the extraordinary role that Gabriel has announced to her. In faith, too, she has obeyed the angel’s additional command to go and seek out the ‘sign’ consisting in the pregnancy of her elderly cousin. Biblical faith does not presuppose signs already given; it acts, goes on its journey, and then discovers confirmatory signs. This is how Elizabeth’s pregnancy functions for Mary. The lesser wonder brought about God’s power (the conception of a child to parents of advanced years) confirms her faith in the far greater marvel: that with God’’s Spirit taking the role of male parent she is to become the mother of her people’s Messiah.

As soon as she hears Mary’s greeting, Elizabeth experiences within her womb the infant John leaping with joy. Already he is beginning his role of pointing to the Messiah. Hence Elizabeth confirms what Mary has hitherto simply believed: that she is indeed pregnant with the Messiah whose role and destiny Gabriel had announced.

Elizabeth insists that Mary is ‘blessed’, not simply because she is ‘the mother of my Lord’, but in her believing (‘Blessed is she who believed’). As supremely in her case, faith is the channel through which God’s power flows into the world.

Brendan Byrne, SJ

Favourite Catholic Hymns: Holy Virgin, By God's Decree:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EuGABqp_pJE

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6WDo9fcEzxY