Visit of the Blessed Virgin Mary to Elizabeth (May 31)

Christian Domesticity

Zeph. 3:14—18 Sing, daughter Zion; Ps. 113 Making her a joyous mother; Rom. 12:9—16 Hospitality; Luke 1:39—49 [50—56] Magnificat

'Let love be genuine ...' Romans 12:9 Christian domesticity

Some Christians are called to live heroic lives of outstanding virtue in the public eye. For the Virgin Mary that would come later. Apart from the inevitable gossip that began when it became evident that she was expecting a baby before she was married, her pregnancy was a quiet one. So she decided to visit her cousin. Elizabeth was much older than her, and past the change of life; yet, amazingly, she too was expecting. They must have been genuinely fond of each other, for it was a difficult journey from Nazareth to the Judaean highlands for a woman in Mary's condition. But she went, so that they could compare notes and be quietly happy together. Mary's song, the Magnificat, is all about the importance in God's eyes of ordinary poor people. Together, Mary and Elizabeth looked forward to lives of Christian domesticity. St Paul gives a picture of what this is like, in the second reading today. It's amazing how much the well-travelled and socially awkward apostle understands about the everyday life of ordinary Christians! It's worth going through his advice line by line.

Let love be genuine.

The love between the cousins Mary and Elizabeth was open and sincere; we need to show love to our family and friends which has no trace of hypocrisy in it.

Hate what is evil.

This doesn't tell us to hate evil people, but to hate those tendencies in society and in ourselves which tempt others into doing wrong. Hold fast to-what is good.

Time to be together as a family, time for relaxation, time for prayer; we should hold on to these things.

Loge one another with mutual affection.

This is a pointer towards balanced relationships, with neither husband nor wife dominating over the other, and children and parents respecting each other.

Outdo one another in showing honour.

The only rivalry there should be between Christians is to see who can be most successful in affirming and praising others.

Do not lag in zeal, be ardent in spirit, serve the Lord.

Our prayer, our worship, and our church work should arise from a strong desire in our hearts to serve Jesus in return for what he has done for us.

Rejoice in hope.

There will be sad times for everybody when disappointment or bereavement come. But gradually we learn to look forward joyfully to the time when we shall all be reunited in heaven.

Be patient in suffering.

Similarly, most people have times of physical pain and mental agony; but if we trust in God's love we don't need to be constantly complaining about them.

Persevere in prayer.

We should be regular in our times of prayer, even when we don't feel like praying.

Contribute to the needs of the saints.

We can give money discretely and secretly to people in need, and to Christian charities.

Extend hospitality to strangers.

However small your home, most people can manage to invite people in, sometimes. The Greek word for a stranger is xenos; this phrase is also a rebuke to the rampant `xenophobia' which seems to afflict so many today.

Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them.

This is a challenge to love our enemies.

Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.

We must adjust our style according to who we're talking to. How-ever much we may want to run away when a friend is in sorrow, all they need is a listening ear.

Live in harmony with one another.

Christians are not very good at this: different denominations and different parties within the Church criticize each other, when what the world needs is to see how we can live in harmony despite our differences.

Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly.

There's no place for snobbery in church; it's one of the few places where different social classes can mix on equal terms.

Do not claim to be wiser than you are.

Oh, how good we are at pretending to know it all, and how reluctant we are to listen to other people's opinions!

The example of Mary and Elizabeth

These down-to-earth instructions remind us all of the importance of being loving in the details of our behaviour, and send us back to the example that Mary and Elizabeth showed in Christian domesticity. `Let love be genuine,' wrote St Paul. If only our love was as genuine as theirs!

Suggested hymns

Brother, sister, let me serve you; From heaven you came, helpless babe (The Servant King); Tell out, my soul, the greatness of the Lord!; Ye watchers and ye holy ones.