The Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary
The Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary
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Saint Elizabeth with John the Baptist and Saint Mary the Virgin with Jesus in the Saint Thomas Church Chantry Chapel[/caption]
Father in heaven, by whose grace the virgin mother of thy incarnate Son was blessed in bearing him, but still more blessed in keeping thy word: Grant us who honor the exaltation of her lowliness to follow the example of her devotion to thy will; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
The Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary
A Sermon by
The Rev. Prisca Lee-Pae
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Do You Want to Hear my Prayer?
Saint Elizabeth with John the Baptist and Saint Mary the Virgin with Jesus in the Saint Thomas Church Chantry Chapel
Today, we have gathered here to commemorate the meeting of two women who were filled with the Holy Spirit, who experienced firsthand that there is nothing impossible with God with their whole bodies.
Mary heard the news of her pregnancy as a virgin from the angel Gabriel. This devout girl said to the angel, “Be it unto me according to thy word.” Even though she accepted it with her strong faith, how could she not be afraid? She must have desperately needed someone she could trust and confide in her what had happened to her. That is why Mary arose in those days and went with haste to a Judean town in the hill country to visit Elizabeth.
The conversation between these two women is quite familiar to us, but if we look closely and carefully, we can find that it is more spiritual, prophetic, humble and sublime than any other priests or prophets’ conversation in the Bible. Elizabeth proclaimed “blessed are you among women” to a pregnant single mom, a felony guilty of being stoned to death at that time. Elizabeth knew that Mary had believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her by the Lord even without Mary’s explanation. And Elizabeth humbly thanked Mary for coming to her. She said, “Why has this happened to me, that the mother of my Lord comes to me?”
When Mary meets Elizabeth who recognizes and embraces her, Mary sings her song. The song shows what kind of vision, dream, faith, and courage this young woman has. She has a clear awareness of not only who she is, what the divine calling and historical mission she must bear, but also who God is, what God has done and will do for her people, Israelites. And we can see that she is fully prepared to live her own vocation as she perceives it to be. This Mary’s song cannot be sung without absolute faith in God. And it is the song that can only be sung in front of Elizabeth, her spiritual mate, who believes and recognizes everything about her.
We who know God, know God’s will, and God’s love, are living with our own song in our hearts. Each of us has a song within us made up of each verse with vision, dreams, faith, and courage. It is the song that pops out when we meet someone who sees us through the spiritual eyes without any prejudice or judgment like Elizabeth. The church is a space where Mary and Elizabeth meet, where each other’s songs can resonate. Do you want to hear my song? Then you must be my Elizabeth. Do you need Elizabeth? Then you must be like Mary reaching out someone with open heart.
I pray that through these beautiful encounters, we will become a community where songs of justice, love, peace and hope resound beautifully altogether.
O God, you made us in your own image and redeemed us through Jesus your Son.
Look with compassion on the whole human family;
take away the arrogance and hatred which infect our hearts;
break down the walls that separate us;
unite us in bonds of love;
and work through our struggle and confusion to accomplish your purposes on earth;
that, in your good time,
all nations and races may serve you in harmony around your heavenly throne;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
