Mary
visited Elizabeth (Luke 1:39-56) because she had BEEN Visited by God. She
didn't go to Elizabeth alone - she went with the Presence of Christ inside her.
As one living "cloistered for Jesus" in the midst of the world, I
carry Christ inside me as well. Not in the same unique way,
certainly. But according to Scripture and Church teaching, I 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.
And so it is with us. 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, callers on the phone.
I find it extremely 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.
I ask myself: What might happen if I
make a conscious effort to go through today "on visitation?"
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.
And so it is with us. 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, callers on the phone.
I find it extremely 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.
I ask myself: What might happen if I
make a conscious effort to go through today "on visitation?"
What if I first visit the
Lord in prayer, and then specifically visit every person I encounter with the
love of Christ? 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 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, it just might be that Heaven will rejoice.
This is a slightly edited repost from our archives. It is linked to Reconciled to You and Theology is a Verb for 'It's Worth Revisiting Wednesday.'
I could not possibly love this more, Nancy!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Sabrina!
DeleteThank you. This is a new thought to me, one I shall certainly put into practice.
ReplyDeleteAnne
Thank you, Anne.
DeleteI started doing my first Novena this month, and by accident I found this site. I really love this and I will put this into my daily interactions with people.
ReplyDeleteThank you Steve for taking the time to comment. Perhaps it is no "coincidence" that you found this Blog. May you be blessed with all that you find here.
DeleteThank you Steve for taking the time to comment. Perhaps it is no "coincidence" that you found this Blog. May you be blessed with all that you find here.
ReplyDelete