Whispers of Grace: The Trinity in the Visitation
Scripture Passage
Lk 1:39-45
Mary set out in those days and traveled to the hill country in haste to a town of Judah, where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the infant leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth, filled with the Holy Spirit, cried out in a loud voice and said, “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? For at the moment the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the infant in my womb leaped for joy. Blessed are you who believed that what was spoken to you by the Lord would be fulfilled.”
Grace Prayed For
Sensitivity to the Holy Spirit: Both Elizabeth and John the Baptist are filled with the Holy Spirit, allowing them to recognize Jesus’ presence. We can pray for a heightened sensitivity to the Spirit’s presence in our own lives, guiding our words and actions.
Reflection
In the heart of Advent, we encounter the breathtaking intimacy of the Annunciation. The angel Gabriel, a messenger of the Father, appears to Mary. He greets her with words that echo the divine presence, “Hail, full of grace! The Lord is with you.” This is not just a greeting; it’s a declaration of MaryThis Advent, we journey with Mary, who, filled with the Holy Spirit after the Annunciation, hastens to visit her cousin Elizabeth. This encounter between two expectant mothers radiates with the joy of the hidden, the subtle yet powerful work of the Trinity in their lives.
Elizabeth, “filled with the Holy Spirit,” proclaims Mary “most blessed among women.” This blessing isn’t merely polite; it’s prophetic, inspired by the Spirit residing within her. She recognizes the divine presence in Mary, acknowledging her as the “mother of my Lord.” Even John, still in the womb, leaps for joy, recognizing the presence of the Messiah. This joyful leap signifies the Spirit’s work, awakening John to his role as the forerunner of Christ.
Mary, bearing the incarnate Word within her, is a living tabernacle of God. Her very presence brings grace and blessing to Elizabeth and John. This echoes the Trinitarian dynamic:
- The Father’s initiative: It is God the Father who orchestrates this meeting, guiding Mary to Elizabeth. He is the source of the blessings bestowed on both women and their unborn sons.
- The Son’s hidden presence: Jesus, though unseen, is the center of this encounter. He is the “Lord” whom Elizabeth acknowledges, the source of John’s joyful leap. Even in the womb, Jesus’ presence brings joy and stirs prophetic recognition.
- The Spirit’s empowering work: The Spirit fills Elizabeth, enabling her to recognize and proclaim the truth of Mary’s situation. The Spirit also stirs John in the womb, foreshadowing his future role in preparing the way for the Lord.
This encounter between Mary and Elizabeth is a beautiful testament to the hidden yet powerful work of the Trinity in our lives. It reminds us that even in the midst of ordinary circumstances, God is at work, bringing forth his plan of salvation. As we journey through Advent, let us be attentive to the subtle movements of the Spirit within us and around us, recognizing the presence of Christ in those we encounter and allowing ourselves to be instruments of his grace.
Growing in Intimacy with Jesus
Experiencing the Joy of Encounter: The Visitation is marked by immense joy – John leaps in the womb, Elizabeth exclaims with praise, and Mary responds with the Magnificat. This joyful encounter reflects the deep joy that comes from encountering Christ. As we seek him in prayer and in our relationships, we can experience this same joy, a joy that transcends circumstances and fills us with hope.
Daily Scripture Reflection
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Sharing
Jesus last words on Earth were to his disciples, can be found in Matthew Chap 28 when Jesus told his disciples, “Then Jesus approached and said to them, “All power in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age.”
Jesus calls all of us to share in his redemptive mission here on Earth. I would ask you to share this Scripture reflection with your family, your friends and your acquaintances, and then share it with a couple of individuals that you may may not be comfortable sharing with, keeping in mind always the words of Jesus, And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age
Author was assisted by AI in the drafting of this Post