the joy of a quiet revolution
"Shout for joy, O daughter Zion! Sing joyfully, O Israel! Be glad and exult with all your heart." —Zephaniah 3:14
Today's celebration of Mary's Visitation is a day of exceptional joy. The Lord commands us to "shout for joy" and "sing joyfully." He Himself sings joyfully because of us (Zep 3:17). We are to "rejoice with those who rejoice" (Rm 12:15), and with joy "draw water at the fountain of salvation" (Is 12:3). With Mary, our spirits find "joy in God" our Savior (Lk 1:47).
We rejoice because the Lord "has removed the judgment against" us and "has turned away (our) enemies" (Zep 3:15). Nevertheless, we are rejoicing not just because of God's victory but especially because of His victorious revolution, for the Lord "has confused the proud in their inmost thoughts. He has deposed the mighty from their thrones and raised the lowly to high places" (Lk 1:51-52).
The message of Mary's Visitation is that the strongholds and proud pretensions (2 Cor 10:4-5) are being overturned in a quiet revolution. Young pregnant girls are visiting older pregnant women, and the Holy Spirit is giving new life and renewing the face of the earth in this visitation (see Ps 104:30). Throughout the world, nuns and many others are praying in obscurity, but in this weakness the Lord has chosen to bring power to its perfection (2 Cor 12:9). As Kimberly Hahn has said, young mothers are "changing the world one diaper at a time."
Today let us rejoice by faith in the mystery of God's love. Let us join God's quiet revolution.
Prayer: Father, give me joy in the revolutionary ramifications of my Baptism.
Promise: "God Who is mighty has done great things for me, holy is His name; His mercy is from age to age on those who fear Him." —Lk 1:49-50
Praise: "God Who is mighty has done great things for me, holy is His name" (Lk 1:49).
Nihil Obstat: Reverend Giles H. Pater, November 15, 2001
Imprimatur: †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, November 16, 2001