Mary set out in those days
and traveled to the hill country in haste
We might imagine such an unfathomable announcement as that of Gabriel to Mary would have had the effect of shock resulting in slowness to act. But it was not so for Mary. Instead she traveled in haste to visit her cousin Elizabeth. Such a response was indicative of one who found her place in God's story. Most of us would have been too preoccupied with ourselves to respond so quickly to the needs of another. But Mary must now have begun to sense that what was happening to her was not meant for her alone, but that it was rather a blessing meant to be shared. She went, therefore, not only to offer assistance on a natural and human level but also to share the gift she had been given. Thus it was not primarily herself that she brought and offered to Elizabeth, but the presence of the One contained within her womb.
Most blessed are you among women,
and blessed is the fruit of your womb.
And how does this happen to me,
that the mother of my Lord should come to me?
Because of the visitation of Mary, the ark of the New Covenant, John leaped in his mother's womb, just as David danced for joy before the original ark (see Second Samuel 6:16). Yet Mary was no mere vehicle but was rather a chosen instrument to communicate the blessings of the Messiah.
For at the moment the sound of your greeting reached my ears,
the infant in my womb leaped for joy.
(emphasis mine)
It was not only the proximity but also the words of greeting that conveyed joy and unleashed the Holy Spirit. It was at this moment, according to many Church Fathers, that John the Baptist was cleansed of original sin. If so, no wonder that he rejoiced! And how complete that joy must have been. We might imagine it directing and sustaining him as he grew and became aware of himself and his special call to prepare the way for the Lord. No wonder he would later say, "The friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly at the bridegroom’s voice" (see John 3:29).
Gabriel had told Mary to rejoice, and now that joy was already being spread. She and her son together with Elizabeth and her son were already responding to the call of the prophet Zephaniah in one of the options for today's first reading:
Shout for joy, O daughter Zion!
Sing joyfully, O Israel!
But what of us, why should we bother so much about these stories which, though poignant, appear to us as past events? If we desire joy ourselves (and who doesn't?) we would do well to be attentive. For Mary still brings Jesus and his joy to those who listen to her greeting as Elizabeth did. If we desire to dance in the presence of the Lord as David did we should invite Mary to come to our homes and be a part of our lives. And we in turn should follow her example. Because of our baptism we are a people in whom Jesus himself has chosen to live. We too are bearers of his presence to others. We should allow this to motivate us to hasten our own participation in the mission. As we do so we should not be content merely with proximity, but realize that our own greeting in the name of the Son can have something of the effect of conveying joy that Mary's did. It will be a song of joy begun in heaven, conveyed by Mary, but taking up in the chorus all who are willing to sing.
He will rejoice over you with gladness,
and renew you in his love,
He will sing joyfully because of you,
as one sings at festivals.
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