The Lord has visited His people

In a few days, the time of waiting for the Lord will be over and we shall begin the celebration of the visitation of the Lord to His people. When Mary conceived the Lord in her womb through her fiat mihi secundum verbum tuum (May it be done to me according to your word), she immediately decided to visit her cousin Elizabeth. Today’s gospel is entirely on that visitation. 

Mary made a journey of about fifty miles to the hilly town of Judea. She had so many reasons not to undertake the journey: it was far, the roads were hilly, but she had more reasons to make the journey. She needed to rejoice with her cousin who has received great favor from God. She needed to be of help to her as her time of childbearing draws near. She put aside her great position as one who carries God in her womb, one whom the Archangel greeted as full of grace. 

This visit of Mary challenges us, who are her children, to examine the maintenance of our family links. Today some people no longer value visiting their relatives and family members. Elizabeth was overjoyed that such a great cousin had time for her. Mary’s presence brought joy because she has God in her. Mary challenges us to strive to put joy in people’s faces by our presence, beginning with our families. Pope Francis had to write an apostolic exhortation on the joy of the gospel “Evangelii Gaudium” to teach us that joy is a Christian virtue that every Christian should strive to promote. 


Christmas is here; it is important you visit or reach out to your relatives and rekindle the fires of family links. Be a source of joy to those who encounter you beginning with your family members. God has visited his people. His people must visit themselves.