One cannot help but be moved by the beautiful episode recounted in today's Gospel. Here we have two new mothers meeting and sharing their joy. But these two moms did not come together to swap pregnancy stories. And although Mary would remain with Elizabeth throughout the remainder of the latter's pregnancy, there was more to this visit than simply caring for a cousin.
Both of these pregnancies were out of the ordinary. Elizabeth was old, barren, thought beyond being able to have children. Her child would be the prophet of the Most High. Mary, while yet a virgin, conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit. Her child is the Son of the Most High, the one who would save us from our sins. Elizabeth was quick to recognize the significance of Mary's son: "Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. Who am I that the mother of my Lord should come to me?" Even the baby John the Baptist got in on the act, leaping for joy in his mother's womb because our salvation was so close at hand.
In other words, when these two mothers met, they rejoiced in the awesome work of God. This meeting was not necessarily about them. This was about what God had done for them and what He would do for all men through Mary's offspring.
If we cannot help but be caught up in the joy of this moment, neither can we help being struck by Mary's love and humility. It is easy enough to get a big head if someone likes a homily I have given. It is easy enough to get a big head any time someone praises us for some good that we have done. I cannot even begin to imagine what it would be like to know that your child was conceived by the Holy Spirit and is the Holy One of God. Mary could easily have sought more privileges for herself, could easily have thought that Elizabeth's greeting was no more than what was her special due.
But if we know the rest of this story, then we know that Mary claimed no special honor for herself. Instead, she broke forth into a hymn of praise: "My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord; my spirit rejoices in God my savior."
Mary knew full well that her child was not simply God's gift to her. He is the Father's gift to the world, and Mary was quick to share that gift with Elizabeth. We know that our time, talents, and treasures are not simply God's gifts to us, but we can and ought to put them at the service of others. Our Lord once said that what we do for others — feeding the hungry, giving drink to the thirsty, clothing the naked, visiting the sick — we do for Him. In serving those in need, we bring the love of Christ to those who are sick, suffering, or poor, just the way Mary brought Christ to Elizabeth and the world.
When we practice true charity, we have no need for, nor should we seek, the praise of others. Rather, we imitate the humility of Mary, and we give thanks to God for the opportunity to serve Him.
