God comes to save us
May 31, 2023 - Feast of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary to Elizabeth
Luke 1:39-56
The village of Ain Karim is traditionally associated with the house of Zechariah and Elizabeth. From Jerusalem, it is only 8 km away, but from Nazareth to Ain Karim is about 140 km. Mary’s famous words “let it be to me according to Your word” (Luke 1:38) open the way for the Word to become flesh (John 1:14). But, after the departure of the angel, she is left alone. What should she do? The decision to travel to her cousin had to come from the words of the angel: “And behold, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son, and this is the sixth month with her who was called barren. For nothing will be impossible with God” (Luke 1:36-38).
As her mission began, so also her problems. She had to talk it over with someone and her cousin who also experienced the miraculous intervention of God was the best person to come for a chat. We do not know how Mary travelled to Ain Karim or how long it took her to reach the house of Elizabeth. The only thing we are told is that she went there in haste. There was no time to be wasted.
Upon entering the house, Mary greets Elizabeth with “Peace - Shalom” because the Son she carries in her womb is "Peace" (Mic. 5:5). This greeting has an incredible impact. The son of Elizabeth leaps for joy in his mother's womb. Through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit Elizabeth recognizes that Mary is with a child and that the child is her Lord. Finally, she is amazed at the profound trust of the Virgin Mary and calls her blessed (Luke 1:45).
The song that Mary sings in the house of Elizabeth is a proclamation of faith in God’s faithfulness and a summary of the history of salvation. The Lord is known for doing “great things” in the life of his people. He created the universe, chose Israel from among all the nations and delivered them from the hands of the Egyptians. Now, he has done great things in Mary’s life. He chose her to be the mother of the Saviour of the World, our Lord Jesus Christ. In this way, God fulfils the promise of Gen 3:15, about the woman and her offspring that would crush the head of the serpent. In this way, God also fulfils the promise given to Abraham that in his offspring all the nations will find blessing (Gen 22:18).
Elizabeth in her old age represents the old covenant, young Mary represents the new covenant. The son of Elizabeth shall be the last prophet of the old covenant, and the son of Mary will establish the new covenant. By bringing her child to Elizabeth, Mary fulfils the hope of the Old Testament and the hope of all humanity. God comes to save us.