Homily for the Feast of the Visitation
Is 12: 2-6
May 31, 2022
Christian Brothers, St.
Joseph Residence, New Rochelle
“Among you is the great and Holy One of
Israel” (Psalm Response).
That paraphrase from Isaiah 12 echoes lines from the prophet Zephaniah: “The King of Israel, the LORD, is in your midst. . . . The LORD, your God, is in your midst, a mighty savior” (3:15,17). God chose Israel and dwells among them—in the ark of the covenant, in his Temple. This is cause for joy and for hope amid the dangers of politics, diplomacy, and hostile neighbors and religious tensions from pagan influences, the people’s backsliding into idolatry, and the beginnings of reform under King Josiah.
The sentiments of the Isaian psalm are
real for Mary and Elizabeth, who along with unborn John recognize the presence
of God. They live and try to serve the
God of Israel in a difficult time, Israel’s oppression by Roman overlords and
the harsh rule of King Herod. They have
the personal challenges of unexpected motherhood. But they’re filled with joy and hope because
they see that God is at work in them.
The Holy One of Israel is among
us. God is at home in his Church, even
when she’s in turmoil from persecution, scandals, and internal dissension. Despite that, we know the Holy Spirit is
here; we are given the Word of God to encourage, correct, guide, and strengthen
us; we have the Eucharist; God readily forgives our sins. “He has come to the help of his servant
Israel, for he has remembered his promise of mercy” (Luke 1:54).
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