Meeting of Holy Virgin Mary with Elizabeth.

(Luke 1:39-56).

        Blessed Virgin hurries to share Her joy with Her relative, Elizabeth, who presumably lived in Judea in a town named Juttah, situated close to the sacred city of Hebron. Elizabeth greeted Her with the same extraordinary words that were uttered by the Angel: “Blessed are You among women” — and added: “And blessed is the fruit of your womb!” — although, as Her relative, should have known about the promise given by Mary to remain a virgin. Following this, Elizabeth exclaimed: “But why is this granted to me, that the Mother of my Lord should come to me?” She immediately explains the meaning of her words in that, the child she was caring “leaped in the womb” no sooner than she heard Mary’s greeting. Undoubtedly, under the infusion of the Holy Spirit, the child in Elizabeth’s womb sensed the other Child — He, before Whose arrival into the world, humanity would have to be prepared by him. That’s why he produced such an unusual movement in the mother’s womb. The reaction on the child from the Holy Spirit, imparted onto the mother and she, through the grace of foresight, instantly recognised what joyous tidings Mary conveyed. That’s why she glorified Her as Mother of God with the same words as that of Archangel Gabriel. Elizabeth beatifies the Blessed Virgin for Her faith with which She received the Archangel’s tidings, contrasting this faith with Zacharias’ disbelief.

        From Elizabeth’s words, Blessed Virgin Mary understood that the mystery revealed to Elizabeth was from God Himself. Amid feelings of rapture and emotions at the thought that the time for the long-awaited Messiah and the liberation of Israel has arrived, Blessed Virgin praised God with the marvellous song. This song is now constantly sung in Her honour at every First Hour morning Services:

        “My soul doth magnify the Lord, and My spirit hath rejoiced in God My Saviour…”

        She wards off any thoughts of personal worthiness and praises God because He has paid particular attention to Her humility. In a prophetic prescience, foretells that for this mercy from God, She will be glorified by all generations and that this God’s mercy will be extended to all that are fearful of the Lord. She subsequently praises God for fulfilling the promise given to the Fathers and to Abraham; and that the Kingdom of the Messiah, anticipated so much by the Israelites, is approaching; that His humble followers, despised by the world, will soon triumph, be uplifted and filled with goodness, while the proud and powerful will be disgraced and vanquished. It would appear that the Blessed Virgin returned home, not having waited for the Forerunner’s birth.