Visitation

By Nancy Shuman -

The Visitation of Mary to Elizabeth is one of my favorite feasts.  I love it for its humanness; I love it for its glowing simplicity.

Mary visited Elizabeth because she had BEEN Visited by God.  She didn't go to Elizabeth alone - she went with the Presence of Christ inside her.  As members of the body of Christ, we carry Christ also.  Oh, not in the same unique way, certainly.  But according to Church teaching, we indeed carry Him within. 

Mary went on a simple visit to Elizabeth.  It was an occasion that I'm sure went unnoticed by many.  A woman went to visit her kinswoman; something that happened all the time.   No one would have cried out: "look, there goes Mary on mission!" or "how about that!  This visit will be written of in the Bible!"  From the merely human perspective, it was simply a time of normal interaction between two women, two relatives. 

You and I have opportunities every single day to visit people with the presence of Christ.  In the everyday activities of life, we visit family members, neighbors, store clerks, e-mailers, callers on the phone.   I, for one, find it helpful when I make a conscious effort to visit these persons with the love of Our Lord.  That is - with an awareness of Christ within me.  I have found that it makes quite a difference in my attitude when I think of things this way. 

This does not mean I have to say or do anything that will draw attention.  It can mean that I pray a silent aspiration for the mailman, smile at a harried store clerk, relate to family members with patience.  I might write a note to a sick friend, send an e-mail of encouragement, call a lonely relative.  

My visitations can be simple and unnoticed.   But as I carry the love of Christ to those around me, I have a feeling that all of heaven will rejoice.

(adapted from today's post on The Cloistered Heart)

Comments

  1. Manny9:33 pm, May 31, 2012

    "You and I have opportunities every single day to visit people with the presence of Christ. In the everyday activities of life, we visit family members, neighbors, store clerks, e-mailers, callers on the phone. I, for one, find it helpful when I make a conscious effort to visit these persons with the love of Our Lord. That is - with an awareness of Christ within me. I have found that it makes quite a difference in my attitude when I think of things this way."

    That is a great insight. I had not connected this feast like that. Much obliged, for that and this wonderful blog.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Manny9:44 pm, May 31, 2012

    By the way Nancy, I followed the link to your site. You have an extraordinarily beautiful blog.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Nancy Shuman12:04 pm, June 01, 2012

    Manny, thank you. I especially appreciate you taking time to come back and comment again, and so generously. I doubly thank you.

    ReplyDelete

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