The Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Feast)
Blessed are you who believed that what was spoken to you by the Lord would be fulfilled. (Luke 1:45)
To confirm something is to verify it as being true or accurate. It means putting to rest any doubts you may have about a particular matter. Looked at in this way, today’s feast of the Visitation shows three different ways that God confirmed Mary’s calling to her.
First, the Visitation tells us how Mary and Elizabeth—both made pregnant miraculously—offered an emotional confirmation to each other. You can imagine these two women talking excitedly about all that has happened to them: one who conceived despite her old age and the other who conceived without human intervention. You can see them sharing their joys, their concerns, and their hopes for their children.
Second, the Visitation describes a physical confirmation, when the baby John leaped in his mother’s womb. Luke called this a leap of joy, indicating that it went far beyond a baby’s normal kicking (Luke 1:44). That leap confirmed for Mary how special her baby was.
Third, the Visitation gave Mary a prophetic confirmation. Elizabeth called Mary “the mother of my Lord,” confirming that Mary’s child was more than just an ordinary baby (Luke 1:43). Luke also tells us that Elizabeth said these words because she was “filled with the Holy Spirit” (1:41).
Today, Jesus wants to confirm his promises in your heart. He wants to bless you just as he blessed Elizabeth, Mary, and John at the Visitation. Perhaps his blessing will spark you to leap toward him in faith. Maybe it will confirm his presence in you. Or maybe it will move you with excitement and a desire to share your blessing with the people around you.
Most of all, Jesus wants to confirm that he is working wonders in you, even if it doesn’t feel like it. He wants to let you know that he is pleased with you, and he is happy to keep working in you, doing whatever it takes to build up your faith. So relax today, and listen for his voice in your heart. Let him tell you, “Blessed are you who believed!”
“Lord, I ask you to come and visit me. Holy Mary, come and confirm Jesus’ work in my life.”
Zephaniah 3:14-18
Isaiah 12:2-6
Daily Marriage Tip for May 31, 2016:
Mary rejoiced with Elizabeth about the new lives within them. Talk with your spouse about openness to new life in your marriage.