Reflect today on your mission to invite your Lord to dwell in you

In those days Mary left and went quickly up the mountain to a city of Judah, where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. Luke 1: 39–40

Today we are presented with the glorious history of the Visitation. When Mary was about two months pregnant, she traveled to be with her cousin Elizabeth who would give birth within a month. Although much can be said about this as an act of family love given by Mary to Elizabeth, the central focus immediately becomes the precious Child in Mary's womb.

Imagine the scene. Mary had just come about 100 miles. Most likely she was exhausted. When she finally arrived, she would be relieved and joyful at the completion of her journey. But Elizabeth says something very inspiring at that moment, which elevates the joy of all present, including the joy of Mother Mary. Elizabeth says, "For the moment the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leapt for joy" (Luke 1:44). Again, imagine the scene. It was this little baby in Elizabeth's womb, John the Baptist, who immediately felt the presence of the Lord and jumped for joy. And it was Elizabeth who immediately felt the joy in her baby who lived in her womb. When Elizabeth expressed this to Mary, who was already happy that she had completed her journey, Mary was suddenly so much happier in realizing that she had brought Elizabeth and John the Savior of the world by living in her womb.

This story should teach us a lot about what is most important in life. Yes, it is important to reach out to others with love. It is important to take care of our relatives and friends when they need us most. It is important to sacrifice our time and energy for the sake of others, because through these acts of humble service, we certainly share God's love. But above all, we must bring Christ Jesus himself to others. Elizabeth was not full of joy first of all because Mary was there to help her with her pregnancy. Rather, she was very happy above all because Mary had brought her Jesus, her Lord, who lived in her womb.

Even if we do not carry Christ in the same way as our Blessed Mother, we must still make this our central mission in life. First, we must foster a love and devotion to our Lord that are so deep that He truly dwells within us. Therefore, we must take the indwelling one to others. This is arguably the greatest act of charity we can ever offer to another.

Reflect, today, not only on your mission to invite your Lord to dwell in you as our Blessed Mother did, but also on your Christian duty to then bring the One who dwells in you to others. Do others meet Christ who lives joyfully inside you? Do they feel His presence in your life and respond with gratitude? Regardless of their response, commit to this holy call to bring Christ to others as a deeper act of love.

Lord, please abide within me. Come and transform me with your holy presence. As you come to me, help me to then become a missionary of your divine presence by bringing you to others so that they may encounter the joy of your presence. Make me a pure tool, dear Lord, and use me to inspire everyone I meet every day. Jesus I believe in you.