Daily Retreat 05/31/07
2007 May 31 Thu: Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary F
Zep 3: 14-18a or Rom 12: 9-16/ Is 12: 2-3. 4bcd. 5-6/ Lk 1: 39-56
From today's readings: "Shout for joy, O daughter Zion!... Among you is the great and Holy One of Israel.... Most blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb!"
Visits with God
Our Christian faith is meant to make a profound difference in our daily lives, and Mary's visit with Elizabeth is one of the most inspirational (though often overlooked!) gospel demonstrations of this insight.
At first glance, the Visitation seems almost mundane - two women get together and share news and experiences of their pregnancies. Now it's true that both women experienced the miraculous intervention of God: Elizabeth had grown old and sterile (Luke 1:7,24) and even more wondrously, Mary "did not know man" (Luke 1:34), and so, each only conceived through the power of God. And yet, while not mitigating those miraculous interventions of God, it's important to affirm the "Power of the Most High" is at work in the conception of every child !
Note too the refrain of joy ringing in the words of both of these women - they shared with each other the joy of the presence of God in their lives, and they rejoiced in further confirming the presence of God in each other's lives. This in itself is profound enough for us to dedicate ourselves this day to doing just that: sharing with loved ones, neighbors and strangers the joy of the presence of God in our daily lives, and rejoicing in the confirmation of God's presence in each other's lives!
Zep 3: 14-18a or Rom 12: 9-16/ Is 12: 2-3. 4bcd. 5-6/ Lk 1: 39-56
From today's readings: "Shout for joy, O daughter Zion!... Among you is the great and Holy One of Israel.... Most blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb!"
Visits with God
Our Christian faith is meant to make a profound difference in our daily lives, and Mary's visit with Elizabeth is one of the most inspirational (though often overlooked!) gospel demonstrations of this insight.
At first glance, the Visitation seems almost mundane - two women get together and share news and experiences of their pregnancies. Now it's true that both women experienced the miraculous intervention of God: Elizabeth had grown old and sterile (Luke 1:7,24) and even more wondrously, Mary "did not know man" (Luke 1:34), and so, each only conceived through the power of God. And yet, while not mitigating those miraculous interventions of God, it's important to affirm the "Power of the Most High" is at work in the conception of every child !
Note too the refrain of joy ringing in the words of both of these women - they shared with each other the joy of the presence of God in their lives, and they rejoiced in further confirming the presence of God in each other's lives. This in itself is profound enough for us to dedicate ourselves this day to doing just that: sharing with loved ones, neighbors and strangers the joy of the presence of God in our daily lives, and rejoicing in the confirmation of God's presence in each other's lives!
posted by FrPitstick | 5/30/2007
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