The Visitation of Mary to Elizabeth and Zechariah
Written by Blake Plympton
39 In those days Mary arose and went with haste into the hill country, to a town in Judah, 40 and she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. 41 And when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the baby leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. - Luke 1:39-41
Over the past few years, many of my friends have started to have babies. Whether that is the people at my church here in Arizona or friends in California from my days in undergrad, each visit I have had with my friends before and after their births was sweet, filled with expectancy, and with sympathy for the pains that are brought about in the process. Looking back on those events, they were almost always filled with joy and peace. There is something wonderful and joyous about the expectation of a baby to be born or even a newborn baby despite all the pain, discomfort, and difficulties that are caused along the way. So, every visit was filled with joy, laughter, care, peace, and the presence of Christ’s Spirit.
As I re-read Luke 1 and other devotions for this reflection, much of what I felt was experienced by all those involved by those who were there at the time, and all those reading this account. For Elizabeth, when Mary enters the house and greets her, she experiences joy and excitement upon the good news of Mary bearing the Son of God. Even John, who is not yet born leaps for joy at the news and presence of Mary and Jesus. In the matter of a moment, Elizabeth who was experiencing confusion about her husband being mute, and the loneliness of being isolated from people had all dispelled as the Holy Spirit descended on her and gave her peace, joy, and love.
Now, it might be natural for us to focus on the events transpiring around this encounter. Elizabeth is of old age and being pregnant when you are older is much more difficult than when you are younger (or at least that is what they tell me). Therefore, Mary’s presence the last three months could be to comfort Elizabeth during this time and could provide any extra support that Elizabeth and Zechariah might need. After all, Mary is Elizabeth’s cousin, and it would be appropriate for her to be there with her at this time. Another thing we could do is hyper-focus on the response Mary gives when Elizabeth gives praise and thanks for Mary as the God-bearer. Mary, in all her grace and humility, still points to the Father as her savior, showing Elizabeth mercy and favor as the God-bearer. However, this is not the feast of Mary or even about her response to how Elizabeth reacted, but rather of the visitation.
In this moment after Mary takes the journey to see Elizabeth, we see God present with these two servants. Both of them being vessels for important figures in the Biblical story. One that will “… go before him in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready for the Lord a people prepared.” (Luke 1:17) The other carrying the Son of God, the savior of the world. Together, these women are blessed with the presence of God and the Spirit and all the benefits that come from that encounter. Through their encounter, they experience God in a real and tangible way that leads them to overflow with peace and gratitude.
It is because of this reminder of God’s presence of the spirit that we should not take for granted the presence of Christ that is with us when we are with others. I find it interesting that this minor feast (at least this year) comes after the major feast of Pentecost. A feast where we see the Spirit being poured out on the disciples of Jesus and performing miracles. The feast where we rejoice in the promise that Jesus gave to his disciples in John 14, “And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever…” (v. 16) A feast where the presence of the Holy Spirit caused thousands to believe in Jesus upon seeing a miracle that allowed the gospel to be communicated in different tongues.
As we go into the world, we are being the presence of Christ to others. The presence of peace. The presence of Love. The presence of forgiveness. This presence goes with us as we are heading into the homes of others that go to church with us that we might be able to rejoice with one another and give gratitude for the good things God has done for us or given to us. But it also goes with us into the store when we get groceries. Or when we have our parent-teacher conferences at school. God’s presence is just as much there for us as it is the people we encounter. So, may God’s presence strengthen us when we most need it and be most visible to people when they are in need of the Father’s love.
The Prayer for the Visitation (BCP 2019, p. 628)
Almighty God, by whose grace Elizabeth rejoiced with the blessed Virgin Mary and greeted her as the mother of the Lord: Look with favor on your lowly servants, that, with Mary, we may magnify your holy Name and rejoice to acclaim her Son as our Savior; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
Questions for Reflection
When are some tangible times in your life where you felt God’s presence? What was it like at that time? What do you remember feeling in the moment?
How would you describe God’s presence to someone?
Spend some time listing out the benefits of the Spirit that you can feel or know of when you are aware of his presence.
Why would those who do not believe need to feel God’s presence in their life?
How would your life change if you tried to be attentive to the Spirit of God in every moment of your life?