Explanation:
The account of the visitation to Elizabeth by the Blessed Virgin Mary is a well-known story that could easily be described as one of the best-loved stories in the bible. If for nothing at all, we are reminded of this event practically every time we sing or recite the Magnificat, the same song Mary sang when she visited her cousin, Elizabeth. Besides, we are offered the opportunity to reflect on the account every time we pray the Joyful Mysteries of the Holy Rosary. What more could be said then about this account from the Gospel according to Luke 1 : 39 – 56 ?
There is one aspect of the visitation that I find particularly relevant to us on this occasion. It is a trait that seems to unite the two women in the account. The first to speak, Elizabeth, filled with the Holy Spirit, cries out in a loud voice and utters words which we could only consider prophetic: “Blessed are you among women and blessed is the fruit of your womb” (Lk 1 : 42). The other, Mary, responds to this word of prophecy in her song saying: “All generations will call me blessed” (Lk 1 : 48). So why does Luke at the beginning of his Gospel present us with this story and what is the point of their prophetic utterances?
