ACC ~ Luke 1 v39 - 40

MARY VISITS ELIZABETH SO THAT JESUS COULD BLESS JOHN

ORIGEN: Better men go to weaker men to give them some advantage by their visits. Thus the Savior came to John to sanctify John’s baptism. … Jesus was in her womb, and he hastened to sanctify John, who was still in his own mother’s womb. Before Mary came and greeted Elizabeth, the infant did not rejoice in her womb. But as soon as Mary spoke the word that the Son of God, in his mother’s womb, had supplied, “the infant [John] leaped in joy.” At that moment Jesus made his forerunner a prophet for the first time. HOMILIES ON THE GOSPEL OF LUKE 7.1. [1]

[1] FC 94:28-29*.

MARY’S HUMILITY

BEDE: She went so that she could offer her congratulations concerning the gift which she had learned her fellow servant had received. This was not in order to prove the word of the angel by the attestation of a woman. Rather it was so that as an attentive young virgin she might commit herself to ministry to a woman of advanced age. HOMILIES ON THE GOSPELS 1.4. [1]

[1] CS 110:31-32**.

Lk