Zephaniah 3:14-18 or Romans 12:9-16 / Luke 1:39-56
This feast of the Visitation of Mary to Elizabeth is an event that is recorded only in the gospel of Luke.
In the Visitation, Mary made the journey to visit her cousin Elizabeth. Certainly many reflections and meditations can be made out of this gospel event.
The second decade of the Joyful mystery of the Rosary also meditates and reflects on this event.
Indeed, there are many meditations and reflections that can come about - humility of Mary; selflessness and service of Mary; the power of divine grace in Mary and Elizabeth;
Yet the word "visitation" is not just confined to this event between Mary and Elizabeth.
The gospel of Luke begins the story of salvation as a visit from God to His people.
When Zachariah's dumbness was lifted, he began his canticle with these words: Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel; He has visited His people and redeemed them.
So God's gift of salvation begins with a visit - He visited Zachariah; He visited Mary; He visited Elizabeth; He visited Joseph.
And the Lord our God continues to visit His people in every age and time. And as we celebrate this feast of the Visitation, the Lord our God also comes to visit us.
May we experience the saving love of God in our anxieties and worries, in our troubles and difficulties.
And just as John the Baptist leapt for joy in his mother's womb, may our hearts leap for joy in this Eucharist and thank the Lord for coming to our help and showing us His mercy.