Mary's 2nd Joy -- The Visitation of Elizabeth (Joy Series)

The 2nd Joy of Mary is what I want to feature now. In some places it is celebrated on May 31st (as I am writing this it is that date) but it can also be celebrated on July 1st (Traditional Latin Mass Calendar).

We will look at the Bible for inspiration since the Bible says the story of the Visitation better than I can....Douay-Rheims translation starting Luke 1:36:

And behold thy cousin Elizabeth, she also hath conceived a son in her old age; and this is the sixth month with her that is called barren: [37] Because no word shall be impossible with God. [38] And Mary said: Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it done to me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her. [39] And Mary rising up in those days, went into the hill country with haste into a city of Juda. [40] And she entered into the house of Zachary, and saluted Elizabeth.

I can't even imagine traveling that far while pregnant. I get nauseated and hungry in a car when I travel. I have a tendency of driving hubby crazy by saying I need to eat, but five minutes earlier (at the house) I did not feel that way when I am pregnant!!

[41] And it came to pass, that when Elizabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the infant leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost: [42] And she cried out with a loud voice, and said: Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb. [43] And whence is this to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? [44] For behold as soon as the voice of thy salutation sounded in my ears, the infant in my womb leaped for joy. [45] And blessed art thou that hast believed, because those things shall be accomplished that were spoken to thee by the Lord.

Mary's cousin honored her by telling her that she is blessed and how can the "mother of the Lord" come to me? Mary's cousin shared in Mary's Joy with the baby leaping in her womb. So, this is a mystery of shared joy too!

[46] And Mary said: My soul doth magnify the Lord. [47] And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour. [48] Because he hath regarded the humility of his handmaid; for behold from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed. [49] Because he that is mighty, hath done great things to me; and holy is his name. [50] And his mercy is from generation unto generations, to them that fear him.

Mary's reply is that she is glad to rejoice in God. She is also humble, but she does say that all generations will call me blessed. This is so true. We honor Mary in this great mystery of Faith and her second Joy.

How do we spread this joy? Let's do all things with "great love" as one song I have heard say. Let's spread joy by being a little happier even if things are not going our way. Even if we feel the world is crashing down. Does God want sad saints? No, he wants us to be joyful saints. Yes, we can try to be saints -- we may not be one yet -- but let's aim for Heaven and spreading joy by doing little acts of love for others. The next time your husband asks you to take out that garbage (do it!).

God Bless You!