Dear Friend, 

Reflection by Jeffrey Morrow, Ph.D.

Luke 1:39-45

Our Gospel reading for today is the Visitation of Our Lady to St. Elizabeth, on which we meditate in the second mystery of the joyful mysteries of the rosary. A number of theologians have pointed out the parallels between King David’s bringing the Ark of the Covenant back to Jerusalem in 2 Samuel 6 with this Gospel passage, in which Mary, Elizabeth, and John the Baptist, take turns playing the role of David, underscoring Mary’s role as the New Ark of the Covenant: 

1) David left from Judah whereas Mary left for Judah. 

2) Out of anger, David said, “How can the ark of the Lord come to me?” and he refused to take it in. Out of joy, Elizabeth said, “how does this happen to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?” and she welcomed Mary into her home. 

3) David danced before the Lord in front of the Ark. John the Baptist leapt “for joy” in Elizabeth’s womb before Mary, pregnant with Jesus.  

4) Furthermore, although it is not in the verses we have before us today, the Ark remained where it was for three months, as Mary remained with Elizabeth for about three months. 

There are many other lessons the text has for us today, one of which pertains to Elizabeth’s hospitality that she extends to Mary. We should also keep in mind Mary’s spirit of service which she shows in going to visit Elizabeth. During the season we are in, and the season ahead, many of us will have the opportunity to be hospitable to others, like Elizabeth, and to visit others as guests, like Mary.

Most importantly, however, we need to keep in the front of our minds the coming of Christ in just a few days at Christmas. Despite the ages of preparations for Jesus’ coming, from the very dawn of creation, when He finally arrived, He was not welcomed in a very hospitable environment; there wasn’t even room for Him in the inn. As Advent nears its completion, and we rapidly approach the beginning of Christmas, let us strive to prepare ourselves to extend hospitality to Jesus when He comes to meet us at Christmas. Let us prepare our souls to be welcoming and attentive to our Lord Who comes to visit us.

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Jeffrey L. Morrow, Ph.D., is Professor of Theology at Immaculate Conception Seminary School of Theology. A Jewish convert to Catholicism, husband, and father of seven, he is co-author with Jeff Cavins and others of A Catholic Guide to the Old Testament (Ascension Press, 2023).