As we draw ever closer to the celebration of the Nativity of the birth of our Saviour Jesus Christ and on the fifth Sunday of the Liturgical calendar, the Indian Orthodox Church commemorates the visit of Mary to her cousin Elizabeth after hearing the news from Angel Gabriel that Elizabeth, who was well beyond child bearing age, was with child. We hear about this encounter from the above mentioned gospel portion (St. Luke 1:39-56). This account of the visitation to Elizabeth by the Blessed Mother of our Lord, Mary, is a well known story and could also be described as one of the best loved stories in the Holy Bible.
If we look at the harsh realities of life, any woman who has traveled while pregnant can tell that it isn’t fun. For Mary, the trip would have been especially grueling: travelling to a town 80 miles away, likely on a donkey, without the comfort of paved roads, air conditioning or shock absorbents and most importantly carrying a child without being married. But why does she do it?
Let us think about what has happened: Mary has been told that she is pregnant by the power of the Holy Spirit. She also learned that her cousin, Elizabeth, believed to be old and barren, is expecting and is 6 months into her pregnancy. Mary must have been bursting to talk to a woman who could personally understand her excitement, her wonder, and probably her nervousness too.
Mary’s trip also demonstrates the call of community. Sometimes, our physical presence is the best gift we can give to another person. We must also remember that Elizabeth and Mary were carrying John and Jesus in their wombs, respectively and they were willing to meet with each other even before they would take birth into the world. St. John Chrysostom says in a sermon on the visitation:
As soon as our Redeemer came among us, He went with haste, while yet he was in His mother’s womb, to visit His friend John. And John, in another womb, as if conscious of the presence of Jesus, dashed impatiently against the narrow walls of his natural prison, as though crying out: I perceive the very Lord that gave nature her bounds! Why then should I wait for the due season of my birth? What need for me to linger here till nine months are ended, now that the Timeless One is with me! I would break out of my dark cell and I would proclaim my manifold knowledge of marvelous things! I am meant to be a sign, and so even now I would show that the Christ is here! I am the trumpet-voice, and I desire to peal forth the news that the Son of God is come in the flesh. Let me sound as a trumpet, and bless and loose my father’s tongue, and make it speak again! Let me sound as a trumpet and quicken my mother’s womb!…
How mysterious is this, that John who is yet to be born, speaks about His Lord by leaping. He is able to bear witness by his acts, even before he was able to cry. He preaches about God, even before he could draw in the breath of life. He makes known the Sun, even before he could perceive the light. We can see that in the presence of the Lord, he could not restrain himself, but rebelled against the forces of nature and struggled to break out of the womb. But if we were to ask John about how this came to pass while he was in his mother’s womb, did he see and hear? How did he leap and bound for joy? If we could hear him answer, he would say:
Great is the mystery of that which took place, which are beyond the understanding of men. It is good that I would show forth a new thing in nature for the sake of Him who is making new things which are beyond nature, Even though I be yet in the womb, I perceive, for upon me shines the Sun of Righteousness from another womb. As it were, with my ears I understand, for I was created to be the Voice of the Great Word. I would cry aloud, for I contemplate the only-begotten Son of the Father clothed in flesh. I tremble for joy, for I perceive that He, by whom all things were made, has taken upon Himself the form of a servant. I leap as I think of the Redeemer of the world being made flesh, for I would run before His coming. Nonetheless, I herald His approach unto you as best as I can, and make my confession of Him whose forerunner I am.
– Sermon by St John Chrysostom on the Visitation
As we approach this season of the Advent and the Nativity of our Lord, let us remind ourselves that no one is an island. We live and thrive in relation to others. Sometimes we give in these encounters, and sometimes we receive. And, as in the Visitation, it is a beautiful combination of both. Also we should remind ourselves and rejoice that our Lord and Master took on the form of us lowly servants and became man and be glad. On this Advent, let us like John in the womb, leap forth and proclaim the Good News about the birth of the Messiah to the world, not just though our words, but also through our thoughts and deeds.
The Indian Orthodox Church also celebrates the day as the Mother’s Day, commemorating all the great souls who dedicate their life to nurture their children, both physically and spiritually. Wishing all our dear mothers, a very happy Mother’s Day.
Please find below the link to the special hymns sung sung on the Sunday we celebrate the Visitation of Mary to Elizabeth – in English & Malayalam.
May the prayers of our most Holy Theotokos, our mothers and saints be unto us a refuge.
Your brother in Christ Jesus
Jobin George
