Advent Reflections
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2022
By Kat O'Loughlin ’10, Director of Campus Ministry
Art by Corby Eisbacher
The image above is one of my favorite renderings of Mary and Elizabeth and their visitation. Their absolute joy of finding out they are carrying children at the same time. The realization they have someone to go through the journey of motherhood with. The deep excitement, joy, and hope they realize of the good to come with the birth of their sons. Both women understand and celebrate the importance of the babies they are carrying. Looking to the future, finding joy in the promises of the Lord, and celebrating the blessings He had endowed on both of them, Mary and Elizabeth were able to join in a passionate hope for the world to come.
“When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the infant leaped in her womb.” Elizabeth’s unborn son, St. John the Baptist, is the first to respond to Mary’s word and thus, recognizing grace. In St. Ambrose of Milan’s commentary on Luke, he writes:
Elizabeth is the first to hear Mary’s voice, but John is the first to be aware of grace. She hears with the ears of the body, but he leaps for joy at the meaning of the mystery. She is aware of Mary’s presence, but he is aware of the Lord’s: a woman aware of a woman’s presence, the forerunner aware of the pledge of our salvation. The women speak of the grace they have received while the children are active in secret, unfolding the mystery of love with the help of their mothers, who prophesy by the spirit of their sons.
From here Elizabeth exclaims with joy and love that the mother of the Lord had come to visit her – she sees and believes the promises of God! This Advent season (and all seasons to come!) may we all have the faith and hope of Mary and Elizabeth – believing, trusting, and hoping with joy and passion for the good of God to be delivered.