2nd Joyful Mystery - The Visitation

THE SECOND JOYFUL MYSTERY
THE VISITATION

Soon after Mary conceived through the power of the Holy Spirit at the Annunciation, during which the angel told her about her cousin Elizabeth's pregnancy, she left her home and travelled a long distance to be with Elizabeth. There, she remained for three months until the birth of John the Baptist, helping Elizabeth during her stay and being with Elizabeth in her every need.

Mary was, herself, pregnant with Jesus and had not yet resolved her own problem of her abrupt and "shameful" pregnancy. If we were to put ourselves for a moment in Mary's situation, would we have done what she had? When faced with seemingly unsolvable difficulties, how often do we find ourselves cutting off the whole world and shutting ourselves up in fear, trying hard to think of a solution or a lie to cover up for ourselves, and when all seem gloomy and hopeless, we remain in melancholy, sulking perhaps, or even becoming so easily irritated that we start to snap at people or "air out" our frustrations in one way or another? Thinking about others, being sensitive to their needs and more so, harbouring the desire to attend to these needs seem like an act of insanity. Have we insufficient worries on our plates already?!

Yet, as we meditate on this mystery in the Holy Rosary, we begin to realise that Mary, despite her troubled and uncertain situation, not only thought of her cousin Elizabeth but far more than that, she completely put aside her own needs and responded quickly and without hesitation to go to Elizabeth's side. Her love and focus were not on herself but on others and on the Will of God, serving the needs of God's people in whatever ways she could, be it here in the Visitation, at the wedding at Cana and elsewhere. Her priorities were clear; she definitely put herself below God and His people. Being called to be the Mother of God was not an occasion for boasting, used to put others down or raise herself upon a pedestal. Instead, Mary humbled herself further, knowing fully well that it was God who showed her infinite kindness and mercy. In one of the most beautiful prayers ever, the Magnificat, Mary exclaimed, "He looks on His servant in her lowliness; henceforth all ages shall call me blessed."

Today, as we dig a little deeper into our hearts, can we find the love and selflessness like that of Mary, to, despite our busyness, tiredness, personal difficulties, sufferings and our many other commitments, pay attention and be sensitive to the needs of others around us? Can we find the discipline within our hearts to stop seeking attention for ourselves and our needs so as to shift our thoughts and concerns unto others in need? Can we choose to serve and not be served? Can we choose to forget ourselves so as to remember others?

One of the toughest challenges we face in our times is the transfer of importance from the "I" to the "Others". Society has moulded our mindsets to adopt the "to each his own" mentality because "if we do not take care of ourselves, who would" and "if we don't fend for ourselves, we will be taken advantage of". Leave the secular world to form its own values; we must be discerning in living our lives and make choices for ourselves. May we find in our prayers our plea to God for His gift of wisdom to take Mary as our model for she is the model of all disciples. May we emulate her selfless love for God that so naturally puts her in the disposition of being ever ready to help anyone in need, regardless of what trials and tribulations, what pains and sufferings we might be experiencing ourselves. May we entrust our own lives and our needs  into the loving and provident hands of God and then put ourselves out to serve as Jesus and Mary have shown us the perfect example of.

As we pray the second decade of the rosary, keep our minds focused on the scene of the Visitation and the virtues of Mary clearly associated with this event. Open our hearts to desire more strongly to imitate Mary in our daily lives.

26 August 2011, Friday
12.04am