Celebrating Mary, Elizabeth and Hannah

AM Psalm 72 • 1 Samuel 1:1-20 • Hebrews 3:1-6
PM Psalm 146, 147 • Zechariah 2:10-13 • John 3:25-30

It is Mother’s Day as I write this Reflection. The readings, to me, celebrate motherhood, beginning with the stories of Mary, Elizabeth and Hannah, their persistence and faith. They also connect motherhood, the role of John the Baptist to prepare for Christ and his cousin, Jesus.

Today is the celebration of the Feast of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Tradition maintains that the purpose of this visit was to bring divine grace to both Elizabeth and her unborn child. Even though he was still in his mother's womb, John (the Baptist) became aware of the presence of Christ and leapt for joy as he was cleansed from original sin and filled with divine grace.

The Feast of the Visitation recalls four truths and events: The Blessed Virgin Mary visits her cousin shortly after the Annunciation; John the Baptist is cleansed from original sin in his mother’ womb at the words of Mary’s greeting; Elizabeth proclaims Mary as Mother of God, "blessed among women” and Mary sings the, Magnificat.

Today’s readings remind us of other Biblical experiences that provide us with insight motherhood, persistence and John the Baptist in in psalms and gospels:

In Samuel, Hannah’s persistent prayers and vow to the Lord asking for a man child led to her son, Samuel, so named because I have asked him of the Lord.

Today, Hebrews confides that “Christ as a son over his own house; whose house are we, if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end.”

Then, in John, John the Baptist declares, “Ye yourselves bear me witness, that I said, I am not the Christ, but that I am sent before him.”

And “He that hath the bride is the bridegroom: but the friend of the bridegroom, which standeth and heareth him, rejoiceth greatly because of the bridegroom's voice: this my joy therefor is fulfilled.”

Image is a detail from “Visitation” from the Altarpiece of the Virgin by Jacques Daret, c. 1435, at the Staatliche Museen, Berlin.

Written by Walt Eilers

Walt Eilers is challenged and grows in faith with each monthly Reflection assignment.