A meditation on the Visitation, Mary: Day 206

A meditation on the Visitation, Mary: Day 206 February 12, 2016

year_with_mary_alphonsus_4A meditation on the Visitation

St. Alphonsus explains that St. Elizabeth knew what we should know: Whenever Mary comes, she brings her Son.

Jesus was the fruit of Mary, as St. Elizabeth told her: “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb!” (Lk 1:42). Whoever, then, desires the fruit must go to the tree; whoever desires Jesus must go to Mary; and whoever finds Mary will most certainly find Jesus.

St. Elizabeth saw that the most Blessed Virgin had come to visit her in her own house. Not knowing how to thank her, and filled with humility, she exclaimed: “And why is this granted me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?” (Lk 1:43).

But we may ask how this could be. Didn’t St. Elizabeth already know that not only Mary, but also Jesus, had entered her house? Why then does she say that she is unworthy to receive the mother, and not rather that she is unworthy to receive the Son, who had come to visit her?
The reason is this: The saint knew full well that when Mary comes, she brings Jesus. So it was sufficient to thank the mother without naming the Son.

“She is like ships of the merchant; she brings her bread from afar” (see Prv 31:14). Mary was this fortunate ship that brought us Jesus Christ from heaven, who is the living Bread that comes down from heaven to give us eternal life, as he himself says: “I am the living bread which came down from heaven; if any one eats of this bread, he will live forever” (Jn 6:51). —St. Alphonsus Liguori, The Glories of Mary

IN GOD’S PRESENCE, CONSIDER . . .
What does it mean to say that “when Mary comes, she brings Jesus”? Have I gone to Mary to understand and receive her Son more fully?

CLOSING PRAYER
Mary, I will humbly ask with St. Elizabeth: “Why is this granted to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?” (Lk 1:42–43). Though I could never merit such a grace, I will embrace it with gratitude.

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