Father Csaba’s reflection on the gospel…..2 July 2018 The Visitation..
Jesus told and showed us everything , but one thing even He could not teach us and that , how a mortal born out of a handful of dust , how is it possible and how do we have to follow Him ?!
How can one as a human being truly live up to the doctrine brought to earth by the Holy Son of God ? Since the first centuries Christians regarded, that Mary is the most authentic Christian, from the example of Her life , what does it mean to live together with the living God !
On this beautiful feast may the blessed Virgin Mother be our master, teacher , example . We could learn a lot from Mary , but on the feast of the Visitation when we remember Mary’s visit to Elizabeth , lets try just to analyse three thoughts.
1. Mary embarks on the way of serving love . Her elderly relative , Elizabeth is expecting a child , and Mary sets out to help , serve her pregnant relative. For three long months she puts aside her own problems, worries , she serve, ,helps , loves . She does not just go for a couple hours a day to Elizabeth but actually she moves in with her . Jesus Christ did not only come for a couple of hours among us from the kingdom of heaven but becomes man , lives ,resides, works with us. There are so many superficial relationships , we smile at each other , ask the other how they are and we move on already. Jesus and following His example Mary, the saints also , become parts of the lives of people in trouble . This is why we also move in with the orphaned children . We make the part of our family , and their good and bad habits become part of our lives.
2. Mary walks into the life of Elizabeth happily singing the Magnificat , and Elisabeth joyfully rejoices. Jesus’ birth , His appearance in the world is glad tidings , the gospel ! His coming just as Mary’s visit to Elizabeth is a source of hope and joy . How great it would be if my appearance , my meetings with my brethren would be the source of joy, hope ! How good it would be if my presence like a nice scent would permeate my brethren's everyday lives .
3. Mary did not go alone to Elizabeth since she is carrying her gentle unborn child Jesus Christ . Mary walks her way in life in the presence of God . Mary not only rejoices in seeing Mary, but also to the divine presence carried by her . How good it would be , that where we appear, the Holy Spirit would also be there with His blessings, graces , calm peace . Jesus Christ’s promise encourage me since He said it :”That wherever two or three gather in my name , I am there amongst them .” Lets live in such a way that among us, in us , with us our Lord Jesus Christ may also be ! Our meeting for our fellow human beings , just as the visit of Mary for Elizabeth , should be a source of grace, an encounter with God .
With love,
Father Csaba
translated by dr k.e.
In those days Mary set out and went with haste to a Judean town in the hill country, where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the child leapt in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit and exclaimed with a loud cry, 'Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. And why has this happened to me, that the mother of my Lord comes to me? For as soon as I heard the sound of your greeting, the child in my womb leapt for joy. And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfilment of what was spoken to her by the Lord.'
And Mary said,
'My soul magnifies the Lord,
and my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour,
for he has looked with favour on the lowliness of his servant.
Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed;
for the Mighty One has done great things for me,
and holy is his name.
His mercy is for those who fear him
from generation to generation.
He has shown strength with his arm;
he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts.
He has brought down the powerful from their thrones,
and lifted up the lowly;
he has filled the hungry with good things,
and sent the rich away empty.
He has helped his servant Israel,
in remembrance of his mercy,
according to the promise he made to our ancestors,
to Abraham and to his descendants for ever.'
And Mary remained with her for about three months and then returned to her home.
Luke 1:39-56
Father Csaba’s reflection on the gospel…..2 July 2018 The Visitation..