^1:39 During those days Mary set out and traveled to the hill country in haste to a town of Judah,
^1:40 where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth.
^1:41 When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the infant leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth, filled with the holy Spirit,
^1:42 cried out in a loud voice and said, "Most blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb.
^1:43 And how does this happen to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?
^1:44 For at the moment the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the infant in my womb leaped for joy.
^1:45 Blessed are you who believed that what was spoken to you by the Lord would be fulfilled."
^1:46 And Mary said: "My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord;
^1:47 my spirit rejoices in God my savior.
^1:48 For he has looked upon his handmaid's lowliness; behold, from now on will all ages call me blessed.
^1:49 The Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is his name.
^1:50 His mercy is from age to age to those who fear him.
^1:51 He has shown might with his arm, dispersed the arrogant of mind and heart.
^1:52 He has thrown down the rulers from their thrones but lifted up the lowly.
^1:53 The hungry he has filled with good things; the rich he has sent away empty.
^1:54 He has helped Israel his servant, remembering his mercy,
^1:55 according to his promise to our fathers, to Abraham and to his descendants forever."
^1:56 Mary remained with her about three months and then returned to her home.

• This passage is the story of visitation, which is preceded by two annunciations: the annunciation to Zechariah of the birth of John the Baptist by the aged Elizabeth and the annunciation of the birth of Jesus to Mary a virgin mother.
• (v.39) The trip from Galilee where Mary lived to a village in Judea where her relative Elizabeth lived would take four days of traveling. If a fourteen-year-old Jewish virgin girl like Mary made that trip alone in the male dominated society, she would be subject to charges of shameful intentions and misconduct.
• (v.41) The "leaping" of John in Elizabeth's womb alludes to the leaping of Esau and Jacob in Rebekah's womb (Gen 25:22), which foretold their later destinies.
• (v.43) Even before his birth, Jesus is first identified as "Lord," which is properly used as a resurrection title.
• "All ages to come shall call me blessed" is a prophecy by Mary, not a boast. She attributes this blessedness to the "greatness of the Lord". Her prophesy has been fulfilled from the very first day of the Church. She has been given the highest place among all of God's creatures - Queen of Angels and Queen of all Saints.
• Mary's response is the Magnificat, which has two main sections. In the first, Mary praises God for what has happened to her. In the second, she speaks for all Israel of what God is doing for the chosen people
• The use of Mary's great hymn, the Magnificat reminds us that all the honor we give to Mary is really honor to God, who has done great things for her.

Mary is the first Christian in the New Testament because she believed in the promises that God made to her, she has total trust in God. Like Mary, blessed are those who believe in God's promises.

1. Recall a moment of joy and happiness when God is part of your life. Compare this moment to the joy and pride of a mother-to-be when she experiences baby kicks in her womb. Can you feel the exultation of Mary and Elizabeth?
2. Slowly recite the "Hail Mary" word by word, and imagine that you were Elizabeth and you are greeting young Mary. What do you see in her face, in her gesture? What will you say?
3. Many people in this world are lonely; they need someone to talk to. Do you ever visit those in hospital, in nursing home or in prison? If you do visit a friend or a relative, what is your intention?

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A synthesis by the Vietnamese Christian Life (Dong Hanh) Community