MARY, OUR MOTHER

Meditation 30

OUR LADY'S VISITATION AND ST. ELIZABETH

During the three months that the Ark of the Covenant remained in the house of Obededom, the Lord blessed that house and poured into it countless graces and marvels. Is it any wonder then that the three months Our Lady spent in the house of Zachary should be rich in heavenly blessings, since Mary was the Divine Ark containing the Heavenly Manna? Let us, then, see what the Visitation meant for St. Elizabeth and for St. John.

1. St. Elizabeth and the Visitation.

It is sweet to think it was through Our Blessed Lady that Jesus wanted to achieve the first sanctification of souls: the souls of Elizabeth and of her son, John.

Realize, too, that the sanctification of your own soul will not be achieved by God except in the measure in which you give yourself up to Mary.

Consider also the reception given by St. Elizabeth to her cousin. What joy! She had never before experienced anything like it. Imagine how Elizabeth would entertain Her; how she would try to render Her stay as pleasant as possible. What would you have done on a similar occasion? Do you not feel a kind of holy jealousy at the fortune of this woman who is the first to offer her homage to Mary? But rather than feel jealous it would be better to imitate her. Our Lady wants to visit your heart. She wishes to dwell in your soul. Do you try to entertain Her or do you leave Her alone without giving a thought to the mysteries you have in your soul? This is rank discourtesy. Look after Mary, keep Her company, serve your Heavenly Mother. Oh, how fortunate to e able to render a service to Our Lady, to be useful to the Most Holy Virgin! Think what this means. You will derive sweet consolation and practical guidance from it.

[Excerpted from 'MARIAN MEDITATIONS' Book by Rev. Dr. Ildefonso R. Villar, Salesian Philippine Province, Nihil Obstat; Imprimatur]