Feast of the Visitation

           This is a feast of Mary that has always meant a lot to me.  In 1956 it was celebrated on July 2, the day I received the habit as a Benedictine sister.Later on the feast date was moved to May 31, as it is today.  That has become the time of year I usually take a driving trip to visit my Sister of Mercy friend near Charlotte, NC, traveling through the beautiful mountains on Route 40 south.  It is always a Visitation time for the two of us!

          Recently I finished a book by theologian Sr. Elizabeth A. Johnson, CSJ, Abounding in Kindness, in which she shares lectures and articles that have appeared in other places than the books she has written.  The last two selections were specifically about Mary: “Truly our Sister” which later became a book, and “Hearts on Fire, A Revolutionary Song,” adapted from an address at the centennial celebration of the Maryknoll Sisters, Maryknoll, NY, 2012.  The later one was so moving to me, especially as this Feast day was upon us. 

          Sr. Elizabeth points out that at the beginning of Luke’s gospel, a woman sings out her joy that God’s revolutionary manner of acting is to show mercy to the lowly, starting with herself.  The woman is Mary of Nazareth.  Her canticle is commonly called the Magnificat, from the Latin translation (Lk. 1:46-55).

         

 Miriam of Nazareth who proclaims these words is a young, first century Jewish woman from a farming village in Roman-occupied Galilee.  She knows what it means to be poor, to be exploited by the Roman taxation policies, to be on the low rung of the cultural ladder, probably uneducated.  But she is convinced that nothing is impossible with God, as shown in the Annunciation Story preceding this.

          Filled with the Holy Spirit and starting to swell with new life, Mary hastens through the hill country to Judea to visit older cousin Elizabeth, herself six months into an unusual pregnancy.  The moment of their meeting is the immediate setting for the Magnificat.  Within the spacious silence, where even the husband’s voice is silenced, two women’s voices resound.  “Filled with the Holy Spirit,” Elizabeth bursts into praise of Mary’s faith, “Blessed is she who believed that the word spoken to her by the Lord would be fulfilled.” Affirmed by this blessing , Mary launches into joyful praise of God.  These two mothers of redemption themselves embody the mercy of God which they now prophetically proclaim, as they affirm one another.  This scene portrays these pregnant women as prophets. 

          Sr. Elizabeth reflects at length on this Revolutionary Song, summing up, “ the unity in distinction of the two stanzas, one praising God with personal love, and the other proclaiming God’s justice for those who are pressed down, expresses an insight at the core of biblical spirituality: mystical and political impulses, two loves that are one.”

          Toward the end of her address she shares a reflection of St. Ambrose of Milan in fifth century, who was reflecting on a text from the prophet Isaisah, “How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of the messenger who announces peace, who brings good news, who announces salvation”  (ISA 52:7) His imagination summoned up an image of Mary, hurrying through the hill country to sing her Magnificat with Elizabeth’s blessing.  He linked Mary’s journey with the church’s journey across the hills of centuries to announce the glad tidings of salvation.  Ambrose then exhorts. “Watch Mary, my children, for the word uttered prophetically of the church applies also to her: “How beautiful thy sandaled steps, O generous maid!’  Yes, generous and beautiful indeed are the church’s steps as she goes to announce her gospel of joy:  lovely the feet of Mary and the church.”

          Inspired by the same Spirit, let us continue to sing this Magnificat with Mary and the Church daily in our Even Prayer, individually or with our communities:

“My soul proclaims greatness, O my God,

And my spirit rejoices in God, my Savior.

For your regard had blessed me, poor, and a serving woman.

From this day all generations will call me blessed,

For you, who are mighty, have done great things for me;

and holy is your Name.

Your mercy is on those who fear you, from generation to generation.

You have shown strength with your arm.

You have scattered the proud in their hearts’ conceit.

You have put down the mighty from their thrones,

and have lifted up the lowly.

You have filled the hungry with good things,

and have sent the rich away empty.

You have helped your servant Israel,

remembering you mercy,

As you promised to Abraham and Sarah,

mercy to their children forever.“ (Lk 1:46-55)

            Sr. Mary Tewes, OSB