Monday, LUKE 1:39-45

Ancient Christian writers delighted to notice that John was a prophet even before he was born, because he gave witness to Christ by leaping in his mother’s womb. Origen (b. 185) wrote, “At that moment Jesus made his forerunner a prophet for the first time.” Maximus of Turin (d. 408 / 423) wrote, “Not yet born, John already prophesies and, while still in the enclosure of his mother’s womb, confesses the coming of Christ with movements of joy—since he could not do so with his voice.” Later the same Maximus noted that at the end of his life John was still giving witness to Christ – from the confines of a prison. “We should not be surprised that after Herod put him in prison, he continued to announce Christ to his disciples from his confinement, because even when he was confined in the womb he preached the same Lord by his movements.”
The events from today's readings confirm Mary's belief in the greatness of God. While it was Mary who went to Elizabeth, it was Elizabeth, who filled with the Holy Spirit, recognized the presence of the Lord in Mary's womb. Elizabeth called Mary "the mother of my Lord." The Holy Spirit to whom they responded is the same Spirit that each one of us received in Baptism and Confirmation. We, too, are filled with the Holy Spirit just as they were. We only need to listen to the call of the Spirit and say "yes". We need to strive to reach the level of belief and trust which Mary and Elizabeth had.

Our Lady's strength was her gaiety and joy. Joy alone could have given her the strength to set out in all haste across the hill country of Judah to become the servant of her cousin. It is just the same for us. Like her, we must be true servants of the Lord and after holy communion each day we must hurry over the mountains of the difficulties we encounter, offering our service to the poor with all our heart.
Let the soul of Mary be in each of us, so that it magnifies the Lord. Let the spirit of Mary be in each of us, so that it rejoices in God.”