'The Visitation' from the parish church in Gharb, Gozo, Malta |
The month of May, dedicated to the Blessed
Mother ends with another feast of Mary, precisely her visitation to her cousin
Elizabeth. It was also the first encounter between Jesus and John the Baptist,
even though they were still in their mothers’ respective wombs. As was
customary, the younger woman would visit the older one and Mary stayed with
Elizabeth for three months, helping her with chores, while chatting and praying
over their upcoming blessed event. Who knows what they talked about....asking
questions that any prospective mother would ask another mother....”What are you
gonna name the baby? ......is he kicking yet?........is the crib ready?.....how
many more weeks for the delivery?........”
This feast also encourages us to focus on the
spirit of visits. People visit each other frequently, as families vacation and
go on holidays while stopping at homes and places where they know they would be
welcome. How hospitable are we to guests who stop by to visit us? How gracious
are we when we visit friends? Do we check to see if we are imposing on them?
How about visiting elderly people, like grandparents, uncles and aunts who may
be very lonely? Do we set a good example when friends visit us? Do we invite
them to attend church with us on a weekend, or are we embarrassed to take them
to Mass with us? You may be surprised how honored they would feel when you
introduce them to the church and parish community? I can tell you that this is
how most converts are made, when they visit a church and get ‘hooked’ by
something special they see, a message in the homily, or any other event that
may seem insignificant for you, but not for your friends and guests.
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