The Visitation of Mary to Elizabeth | Luke 1:39-45 with Fr. Michael Sparough, SJ and Fr. Jim Willig

Fr. Jim Willig reflects on the Visitation of Mary and Elizabeth, highlighting Mary’s faith, obedience, and perseverance during her journey to Elizabeth. Through this reflection, he invites us to recognize the Spirit’s stirring in our own lives and embrace the hope and renewal offered by the Advent season.

from Luke 1:39-45
and traveled to the hill country in haste
to a town of Judah, 
where she entered the house of Zechariah
and greeted Elizabeth.
When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting,
the infant leaped in her womb, 
and Elizabeth, filled with the Holy Spirit, 
cried out in a loud voice and said, 
“Blessed are you among women, 
and blessed is the fruit of your womb.

Read the full scripture passage: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/122224.cfm

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Episode Transcript

(00:00):
The holiday season is such abusy time for all of us.

(00:05):
I think most of us would admitto feeling overwhelmed by
And yet, for that very reason, Ithink it’s even more important
Advent invites us into thisreflection and helps us prepare
Today’s Gospel is part of what’sknown as the infancy narratives,
You may know that only two ofthe four Gospels—Matthew and

(00:30):
And they are told in a way thatsets the stage for the entire
Biblical scholars often describethe infancy narratives as a
Much like a prelude to a book ormusical composition, they offer
We can already sense that intoday’s familiar story of the
The Gospel tells us that Maryset out in haste to the hill

(00:55):
It’s worth noting that this wasno short journey!
From Nazareth in Galilee to EinKarem, where Elizabeth lived,
Imagine how much longer it musthave been along the winding
Most scholars believe thisjourney would have taken about
Now keep in mind, Mary was inher first trimester.

(01:20):
Many women would say this is oneof the hardest times physically,
And yet, Mary makes thisjourney.
It was far from ideal timing.
Traveling back then wasn’t safe,especially for a woman traveling
Mary probably joined a caravan,which came with its own

(01:45):
You can imagine the difficultiesof traveling with a
Mary’s journey wasn’t just aphysical one; it was a journey
She trusted in God as shevisited her cousin Elizabeth.
What’s most striking is thatthis visit is the first meeting
It’s a moment that marks thebeginning of a whole new age in

(02:10):
Think of it as crossing a bridgefrom the Old Testament to the
Moving into a new covenant ofhope.
These two unborn children—Jesusand John—are at the center of
When Elizabeth hears Mary’sgreeting, her baby leaps in her
At that time, many in Israelbelieved the Spirit of God had

(02:35):
People thought God waswithholding His Spirit because
But Luke shows us that theSpirit is now being poured out
Elizabeth’s words, Who am I thatthe mother of my Lord should
Her baby leaps for joy in herwomb, and she proclaims, Blessed
This moment isn’t just aboutMary and Elizabeth; it’s about

(03:00):
Have you ever had a moment whenyour heart just leaped, when you
Maybe it’s when you’re in thepresence of someone holy,
That’s the kind of encounterElizabeth has with Mary, and