1. Mary
Mary walks 150 kilometers (90 miles) from Nazareth to Ein Kerem to help her relative Elizabeth, who will give birth in three months. Mary was probably about 14-15 years old at the time. She was not afraid to travel on such a dangerous and tiring road because she wanted to help.
2. Key Words
Mary set out in haste and traveled to the hill country, to a town of Judah.
The Greek word spoude used in the Gospel means not only haste, but also enthusiasm, readinesś to help, and dedication. This word captures the spirit of Mary very well. She helps with enthusiasm and dedication; moreover, she does not put off helping. As soon as she heard that her relative is expecting a child, she immediately goes to help her. That is how Mary is.
She cried out in a loud voice and said, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb.
Literally, Elizabeth gave a great shout (anefonesen krauge megale). It was a shout of joy because with Mary, the Messiah is in her home. And at that time, Jesus, in Mary’s womb, could have been only a few days or a couple of weeks old.
These words of Elizabeth are the most often repeated words from the Bible in the world. We say them in the Rosary and in other prayers where we say the Hail Mary. Elizabeth spoke them with great love and joy.
3. Today
Once on a train, a priest was reciting the breviary. At one point, a picture of Mary fell out of the breviary. A child picked up the picture and asked the priest:
– Who is that?
– This is my mother, answered the priest.
The child looked at the picture and at the priest and said: You’re not very much alike.
Do we look like Mary at least a little?
And today we celebrate...