Sophie Maille rscj  | Let’s begin our prayer, open to God’s movement of love, and under the influence of Holy Spirit
Introduction:
(Excerpt from Dawn Without Darkness, A. Padovano)
Nothing worthwhile in life is sudden. We wait for birth. We wait for love. We wait for life to reveal its meaning, year by year, experience by experience. ‘Waiting’ is the law of life, the measure of love.
Let us empty our hearts to hear God’s Word.
Scripture: Luke 1: 39-45
Mary set out and went with haste to a Judean town in the hill country, where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth.
When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the child leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit and exclaimed with a loud cry, ‘Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. And why has this happened to me, that the mother of my Lord comes to me? For as soon as I heard the sound of your greeting, the child in my womb leaped for joy. And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her by the Lord.
Let us allow the Word to take root in the soil of our hearts (Music )
Contemplation : Mary’s Visitation to Elizabeth (Luke 1: 39-56)
In your imagination, you are watching Mary prepare to set out for the hill country of Judah. It’s a long journey by camel or donkey -- to her cousin’s place in Jerusalem. Mary surprises you one day by asking if you would like to accompany her. You have been friends for the last few years and it would be wonderful to spend some extra time with her. You’ve always experienced something very special about Mary — a silence and a peace which is quite different from that of the other people in your village of Nazareth. You’re not sure where it comes from but it does overflow into your own spirit. Anyway, you are delighted to go with her on this adventure.
One early morning, you set off with her and the caravan. As you move along, up and down the hill country, you’re aware that she seems very pensive. She has always been quiet and gentle, but now she appears to be especially contemplative, even a bit withdrawn. You wonder if she is missing Joseph, her fiancé... Is there something in your heart, Mary?, you ask. How does she respond? Pause......... You want to enter into her experience as much as possible.
Are you afraid? you ask. What does she say? Pause........ You think a lot about her response.....
After days of travel, you are nearing Elizabeth’s home. Mary is tired, and you wonder why. She has come to visit Elizabeth at this time, even though she has told you that Elizabeth is pregnant..
Together, you enter Elizabeth’s home. What an awesome moment after days of relative quiet!
The two cousins greet one another, and before you know it, Elizabeth bursts out with something. You weren’t prepared for it: “Of all women, you are the most blessed, and blessed is the fruit of your womb.” Why should I be honored with a visit from the mother of my Lord.” Now, you know some of the secret that Mary has shared with you, but how on earth does Elizabeth know what has happened to Mary? ...... How does Mary feel about Elizabeth’s greeting? ... Does she experience even more confusion? Or Wonder? Anxiety? Or simply more Mystery? Pause.......
Some days later, Elizabeth tells Mary that “From the moment your greeting reached my ears, the child in my womb leapt for joy.” The significance of these two pregnancies dawns on you in a new way. This is ‘holy ground’. You have spent much time with Mary. She had told you of her unusual experience. Did you really take it in?....... Is it possible for something like this to happen to someone so young? And not yet married? (In those days, an unwed mother would surely have been stoned!)
You are almost frightened yourself!....... How is Mary living with this reality? Pause.....
As the weeks pass, it’s Elizabeth’s turn to become silent. She is more and more subdued. One day, you ask her if she is all right. She then tells you her own story: She and Zechariah had also received a special announcement about the birth of their child — but they had doubted.
Doubted badly! How was it possible, they thought, for them to have a child in their old age?
And yet, here was her young cousin who had believed in something even more extraordinary.
She was to become the Mother of God! From then on, Elizabeth’s often-repeated refrain touches your inner being: “Blessed is she who believed that the promise made her by the Lord would be fulfilled.” Pause.....
You remember a PROMISE that the Lord made to you: “Do not be afraid, I will be with you.... When you call, I will answer you; I know the plans I have in mind for you... I will lead you back to the place from which I exiled you”.... Did you really believe the promise? Pause.....
In the midst of your conversation with Elizabeth, Mary joins the two of you. You tell her of your amazement at her tremendous act of faith — and she spontaneously sings from the depths of her being:
My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord, and my spirit exults in God, my Savior, because he has looked upon his lowly handmaid. (Pause)
Yes, from this day forward, all generations will call me Blessed, for the Almighty has done great things for me. Holy is his name. (Pause)
In these short, but unbelievable 3 months with Mary and Elizabeth, you have lived something extraordinary: Together, you have ‘listened in faith’; together, you have ‘waited in hope’.
Mary, this young woman whom you thought you knew, has strengthened you beyond measure, in the WAYS OF GOD.
It’s time now to leave Elizabeth. She, too, is a new person, as she awaits the birth of her son....
On the journey homeward, back to Nazareth, you are moved to share with Mary, just how you feel about this spring season. What is the mystery you are living? What is your HOPE? Are there any obstacles to your hope? How does Mary encourage you? Pause......
It’s time to say ‘good-bye’ to Mary — to leave this sacred spot. Hand over to the Lord, the Word that you have heard. Take a few moments to reflect on how you want to act on this word. Pause.....
Music
When you feel ready, come back to this place and this time and open your eyes. by Maureen Currie rscj
Province of Canada
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