Today, the Church remembers the the visit of the Blessed Virgin Mary the mother of Jesus to her cousin Elizabeth the mother of John the Baptist as recorded in the Gospel of Luke 1:39–56.
Traditionallly, Mary, a young Jewish girl who was little more than an adolescent by today's standards, (probably around the age of 13, the traditional age of transition from child to adult and the age for getting married) when she left Nazareth after the Annunciation of the angel Gabriel that she, though a virgin, would bear the Son of God, and her pregnancy had become visible.
Her pregnancy was complicated for many reasons, mostly because she was unmarried, though betrothed, and Luke records that she went "into the hill country...into a city of Judah" to attend to her cousin Elizabeth. Elizabeth was in the sixth month of her pregnancy before Mary came. Mary stayed three months, and most scholars hold she stayed for the birth of John. Given the prevailing cultural traditions and needs for security, etc., it is probable that Joseph accompanied Mary to Judah then returned to Nazareth, and came again after three months to take Mary back to their home. The visitation of the angel Gabriel to Joseph, mentioned in Matthew 1:19–25, may have taken place when she was with Elizabeth to end the tormenting doubts of Joseph regarding Mary's maternity.
It is traditionally held that the purpose of this visit was to bring divine grace to both Elizabeth and her unborn child. Even though he was still in his mother's womb, John became aware of the presence of the Son of God, Jesus, and leapt for joy, being filled with Holy Spirit. In this one line of Scripture, we can see the clear teaching of Scripture that unborn children, no matter the stage of development, are fully human and capable of knowing and responding to the presence of God. The ongoing clinical murder of unborn children is an unspeakable evil, and we must pray for God to have mercy on us and give us his Spirit to transform our minds to recognize this truth, that at conception we are fully human, made in the image of God, and must be protected and nurtured in love.
Elizabeth also responded similarly and recognized the presence of Jesus, at which she [Elizabeth] spoke out with a loud voice, and said, "Hail, Mary, full of grace! Blessed art thou amongst women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb. And whence is this to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For, lo, as soon as the voice of thy salutation sounded in mine ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy. And blessed is she that believed: for there shall be a performance of those things which were told her from the Lord."
In response to Elizabeth, Mary proclaims the Magnificat:
"My soul doth magnify the Lord, And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Savior.
For he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden: for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed.
For he that is mighty hath done to me great things; and holy is his name. And his mercy is on them that fear him from generation to generation.
He hath shewed strength with his arm; he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts. He hath put down the mighty from their seats, and exalted them of low degree. He hath filled the hungry with good things; and the rich he hath sent empty away.
He hath helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy; As he spake to our fathers, to Abraham, and to his seed for ever."
Blessed indeed is she who believed the promise of the Lord, and blessed is he, Joseph, who also believed the promise of the Lord.
Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou amongst women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
Holy Mary, Bearer of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.
Father in heaven, by your grace the virgin mother of your incarnate Son was blessed in bearing him, but still more blessed in keeping your word: Grant us who honor the exaltation of her lowliness to follow the example of her devotion to your will; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever.
Amen.
