The Heart Behind Mary’s Haste

MALTESE VERSION

Mary Visits Elizabeth (Luke 1:39-56)

³⁹ At that time Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea, ⁴⁰ where she entered Zechariah’s home and greeted Elizabeth. ⁴¹ When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. ⁴² In a loud voice she exclaimed: “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear! ⁴³ But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? ⁴⁴ As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. ⁴⁵ Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her!”

⁴⁶ And Mary said:

“My soul glorifies the Lord
⁴⁷ and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
⁴⁸ for he has been mindful
    of the humble state of his servant.
From now on all generations will call me blessed,
⁴⁹ for the Mighty One has done great things for me—
    holy is his name.
⁵⁰ His mercy extends to those who fear him,
    from generation to generation.
⁵¹ He has performed mighty deeds with his arm;
    he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts.
⁵² He has brought down rulers from their thrones
    but has lifted up the humble.
⁵³ He has filled the hungry with good things
    but has sent the rich away empty.
⁵⁴ He has helped his servant Israel,
    remembering to be merciful
⁵⁵ to Abraham and his descendants forever,
    just as he promised our ancestors.”

⁵⁶ Mary stayed with Elizabeth for about three months and then returned home.

Points for prayer

1. I imagine the Place

I imagine Mary’s urgent journey from Nazareth to Judea (130-160 km) immediately following the Annunciation. I picture her arrival at Zechariah’s home and the moment of joyful recognition where the unborn John the Baptist leaps within Elizabeth.

2. I ask for the Grace

I ask for the grace to receive Mary’s inner dispositions, moving me from hesitation to immediate action in following God’s call. I pray to cultivate unwavering trust, humble service, and praise.

3. I contemplate Mary’s Heart

I look at Mary and listen to what is happening in her heart and observe her reactions. How can I profit from this? Need Inspiration?

A Conversation with Mary

Imagine yourself speaking with Mary face-to-face, as a friend speaks to a friend, reflecting on the insights gained from this contemplation.

Conclude with an Our Father, Hail Mary, or the prayer appropriate to the conversation.

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The Heart Behind Mary’s Haste

1. Unwavering Trusting Faith (Luke 1:45)

Mary’s action was rooted in absolute trust. That’s what Elizabeth declared: “Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her!”

• I ask myself: Which of God’s promises must I rely on right now to confidently move forward, and what specific doubts about those promises are currently fueling my hesitation?

2. Serving Humility (Luke 1:48)

Her journey was an act of humble service, prioritizing Elizabeth’s need over her own comfort or the difficult journey. Contemplate her recognition of her “humble state of his servant.”

• I ask myself: What comfort, convenience, or self-focus am I currently prioritizing over the good deed God is calling me to perform, and whose need am I neglecting by saying “Wait?”

3. Praise-filled Focus on God (Luke 1:46–47, 49)

Mary’s spirit was fixed on God’s greatness, not her challenges, as evidenced by the Magnificat: “My soul glorifies the Lord… for the Mighty One has done great things for me.”

• I ask myself: In what specific ways is my current fear or anxiety eclipsing the memory of God’s past faithfulness and power, and what is the language of praise I need to adopt to displace my self-focused worry?

Mary’s example teaches us that to overcome the urge to say “Wait,” we must cultivate her inner life: moving from doubt to trust, from self-focus to service, and from anxiety to praise. Her action was the visible fruit of her profound inner being.

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Witnesses

St. Maximilian Kolbe

Maximilian Kolbe, a Polish Franciscan friar during WWII, showed radical obedience to God’s call. Arrested for sheltering Jews, he was sent to Auschwitz. When a fellow prisoner was chosen to die, Kolbe volunteered to take his place, saying, “I am a Catholic priest. I want to die for that man.”

• He gave his life without hesitation.
• Led prayers in a starvation bunker.
• Died a martyr, embodying Christ’s love.
  His legacy: bold love in action.
  His words: “Only love is creative.”

St Joseph, Husband of Mary

Though silent in Scripture, Joseph’s actions spoke loudly.

• He accepted Mary after a divine dream (Matthew 1:24).
• He fled to Egypt to protect Jesus (Matthew 2:14).
• He obeyed God’s direction without delay.
  Joseph’s life was marked by quiet courage and immediate obedience.
  “When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him…”

St. Teresa of Calcutta

Mother Teresa heard God’s call and responded instantly.

• Left her convent to serve the poor in Calcutta.
• Founded the Missionaries of Charity.
• Faced hardship but never stopped serving.
  She stepped into the unknown with faith, just like Mary.
  Her words: “We have only today. Let us begin.”