Feast of the Visitation

A Visitation and A Song

                                   The world waited     

And watched for this moment

For many generations.

All the years

And all the prophets

And all the seers

Bow to the young girl of Nazareth.

Along comes

This Daughter of Zion

Untying the knot of Eve

And by her “Yes”,

This favorite Daughter

Of the Father  

Becomes the Mother of the Redeemer.

Woman of Israel

With Jewish roots,

Stepping out

Of the Hebrew Bible

Changing BC to AD

Stepping into the New,

Changes History.

The mother of the living

Walking softly,

Walking gently

Among us

Is pregnant now

With the Messiah

Emmanuel, God-with-us

The cousin greets the Mother of God

And Elizabeth’s unborn child

Leaps in her womb

Like David dancing

Before the Ark,

Like the messianic leap of joy

Among Isaiah’s poor.

She, the cause of our joy,

The New Ark

Housing the Word,

Chosen and willed

Into Motherhood

Finds her glory, like all mothers,

In being for her Son.

Elizabeth speaks chosen words,

“Blessed is the child

You will bear.”

Mary, who carries Jesus,

Carries the Church,

Carries us,

Virgin made Church,

From the beginning.

The new Eve, fashioned in Heaven,

Sings a new song.

Not the ancient one of Eden

But the perfect song

For her Son,

A sign of favor to us,

To the Church forever.

As exalted spouse of the Spirit

She stands out

Among the poor and humble 

Of the Lord,

Her heart full and

Overflowing to the heart of another

Sings her astounding secret.

“My whole spirit is soaring

in the greatness of Adonai.

My very being is joyful

Because of God my Savior.

For God has been aware

Of His lowly one

And because of this

All people will find hope.

All ages will look at this moment

As a blessing for me and for them.

Our Mighty God, in this one great act,

Has done wonderful things for me,

Blessed be He.

His Name, too holy to utter

Blessed be He.

Holy is that Name.

His undeserved kindness is for all

Who worship Him in every generation.

His mighty Arm shows His power,

Most of all, in caring for the needy.

He changes the plans of the proud,

In their hardened hearts.

He has brought them down

From their high position

And sets the lowly ones in their place.

Wonders are given to those who long for it

And those, not of opened heart,

Go away empty.

He never forgets Israel or you,

Always full of loving-kindness for us all.

For God promised Abraham and Sarah,

And their family, to be with them always.

He promises us the same.

From now until forever.

We ask you, then,

Virgin Mother of the Savior

To intercede for us.

You who  brought forth

Your son in the flesh

Bring us forth in spirit.

Help us to see your Son

Appearing now in our neighbor

Making all of us one,

Making us Church.

“Blessed are you among women,

Blessed is the fruit

of your womb.” 

FJV

Sources:

·          Gospel of Luke

·          Vatican Document :Lumen Gentium

·          Francis of Assisi: Prayer to the Virgin

·          Litany of Loretto