life-giving visits
"Who am I that the mother of my Lord should come to me?" —Luke 1:43
Jesus, the Baby in Mary's womb, filled John, the baby in Elizabeth's womb, with the Holy Spirit (Lk 1:41, 15). Babies can receive God Himself. Babies are human beings who are being called, loved, and transformed by God (see Is 49:1; Ps 139:13). This has been known for millennia, but today we need to be reminded of the obvious biological fact that babies are human beings. Despite the fact that embryology and the study of genetics have further confirmed that babies are human beings, our high-tech world has decided to ignore scientific data and just pretend that babies aren't human beings. Therefore, in our society, the events of Mary's visitation of Elizabeth are more significant than ever.
On this special day, may Mary, Elizabeth, John, and many other prophets and prophetesses prophesy. May their words penetrate, divide, and judge the thoughts and reflections of our hearts (Heb 4:12). May we be convicted of our participation in what Pope John Paul II calls a "culture of death." May we repent of a worldly life-style, selfishness, and apathy. May the Lord confuse the proud and depose the mighty we have enthroned contrary to His will (Lk 1:51-52). On this day, may God visit His people, and may we repent.
Prayer: Father, may repentance come to me and through me to this country.
Promise: "Bless your persecutors; bless and do not curse them." —Rm 12:14
Praise: Elizabeth was an older woman who shared the joy of her first pregnancy with a husband who could not speak or hear. Mary visited Elizabeth and spent the difficult first trimester of her own pregnancy providing companionship, service, and Jesus to Elizabeth and John.
Nihil Obstat: Reverend Edward J. Gratsch, October 10, 1995
Imprimatur: †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, October 13, 1995