It is an easy temptation to turn inward, to procrastinate, to expect and even demand our own instant gratification. Mother Mary is the direct antithesis to our stubborn self-obsession. Gently, through example, she teaches us that turning outward in zealous love for the glory of God brings rejoicing, communion, and conversion.
Today on the Feast of the Visitation, we celebrate Mary visiting her cousin Elizabeth. Every year when this Gospel reading is proclaimed, I am struck by the word haste: “In those days Mary arose and went with haste into the hill country, to a city of Judah, and she entered the house of Zechari′ah and greeted Elizabeth” (Luke 1:39-40). This past year, I came across a blog post describing Luke’s use of this word. Dominican Brother Benedict Hernandez writes, “Luke uses the word σπουδῆς (spoudēs), which is translated as ‘with haste’ but the word can also mean ‘with zeal.’”
With Energy and Enthusiasm
Zeal is defined as “great energy or enthusiasm in pursuit of a cause or an objective.” How beautiful to ponder! Mary, newly pregnant, in her first trimester, zealously, energetically, and enthusiastically travels in pursuit of a cause, an objective—namely, to visit, to impart grace upon, her cousin Elizabeth. Learning the biblical meaning of the word “haste” was a revelation of my own sloth and lack of zeal, my deficient energy and enthusiasm.
He Gives Us Grace Upon Grace
Yet when God reveals, He doesn’t leave us stuck. The revelations He allows our heart to experience are gifts, and He always couples those revelations with graces. It is up to us to accept the graces He lavishly pours out upon us. Mary’s momentum and zeal are meant to inspire us. Yes, part of that inspiration is self-reflection, yet we are not meant to wallow in despair contemplating our inadequacy. Rather, we are called to learn from the school of Mary and replicate that love in action.
First Things First
The first thing we must do is ask for the grace. To do this, we must be in a state of grace. On this Feast of the Visitation, let us go in haste to receive the Sacrament of Confession. Our Lady, Spouse of the Spirit, will accompany us. Our Heavenly Father will impart upon us grace upon grace in the confessional.
Actionable Ways To Imitate Mary
Then, let us reflect on actionable ways, specific to our unique state in life, in which we can imitate Our Lady’s Visitation to Elizabeth. Here is the list I came up with for myself:
- Bring a meal to a family once a month.
- Write a letter to a family member once a week.
- FaceTime my grandmother with my son each week.
- Every morning, consecrate the day to the Holy Spirit, asking Him to overshadow me with His grace, just as He did Our Lady.
What would you add to this list? Share in the comment section below!
Claire Couche is a wife, etiquette instructor, blogger, homeschooling mother, and registered nurse. She is passionate about sharing content that helps her community live a beautiful and virtuous life. Using her degrees in theology and history, Claire shares about the Catholic faith often on her IG account @findingphilothea and her website, Finding Philothea. You can often find her reading a good book in a beautiful dress! Learn more about Claire and all things etiquette here.
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