^1:39 In those days Mary arose and went with haste into the hill country, to a city of Judah,
^1:40 and she entered the house of Zechari'ah and greeted Elizabeth.
^1:41 And when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit
^1:42 and she exclaimed with a loud cry, "Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb!
^1:43 And why is this granted me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?
^1:44 For behold, when the voice of your greeting came to my ears, the babe in my womb leaped for joy.
^1:45 And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfilment of what was spoken to her from the Lord."
^1:46 And Mary said, "My soul magnifies the Lord,
^1:47 and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
^1:48 for he has regarded the low estate of his handmaiden. For behold, henceforth all generations will call me blessed;
^1:49 for he who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name.
^1:50 And his mercy is on those who fear him from generation to generation.
^1:51 He has shown strength with his arm, he has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts,
^1:52 he has put down the mighty from their thrones, and exalted those of low degree;
^1:53 he has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent empty away.
^1:54 He has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy,
^1:55 as he spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to his posterity for ever."
^1:56 And Mary remained with her about three months, and 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