Excitement

     I love reading the account of the visit of Mary to her cousin, Elizabeth.  Mary's entrance into the house caused great excitement, both within Elizabeth but also within the heart of her unborn child.  She says to Mary "The moment your greeting sounded in my ears, the baby leaped for joy within my womb" at the presence of the Christ.   Who could doubt the uniqueness of life within the womb, from the first moment of conception.  John, long before he was born into this world recognized Jesus - not a potential life, nor a developing embryo, nor a hoped for reality - but the person of Jesus himself.  And he rejoiced, stirred to excitement at the presence of his Lord.

     Today is the Feast of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary to Elizabeth.  The prayer after communion says:

May your Church proclaim your greatness, O God,

for you have done great things for your faithful,

and, as Saint John the Baptist leapt with joy

when he first sensed the hidden presence of Christ,

so may your Church rejoice

to receive in this Sacrament

the same ever-living Lord.

 

     Is there a spring in our step as we approach the altar?  Can excitement be found in our demeanor?  Is our procession to the Table of the Lord an ordinary journey, or is it filled with rejoicing?  For we receive the same ever-living Lord that John leapt for joy in his mother's womb that day.  Let us rejoice!