The entire scene here vibrates with the notes of gladness. To begin with, as soon as ever Our Lady reached the house, Elizabeth came out to greet her and declared that her own child had leaped for joy at the sound of Mary's voice. That child was John the Baptist, who, according to tradition, was at that moment sanctified and delivered from original sin by the near presence of Jesus within Mary.
It is clear that Elizabeth herself, too, is beside herself with heavenly happiness. "Whence is this to me that the Mother of my Lord should come to visit me?" She had treasured up in her mind the marvelous promises made to her husband by the angel about their child. She had conceived in old age, long after the period when childbearing would have been naturally possible. And now here is a new marvel: he has leaped for joy within her womb at the approach of Jesus and Mary.
And as for Mary herself, she stands there outside the little house. You can almost see her as she lifts her eyes towards heaven and raises both arms in ecstasy and pours forth on the evening air the sweet notes of her canticle. "My soul doth magnify the Lord and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Savior . . . For He Who is mighty hath done great things to me and holy is His name." It is the song of a heart overflowing with excess of joy.
In this song Mary would have me join. To me also, He Who is mighty hath done great things some of them things He did not do for Mary. He never forgave Mary the sins He has pardoned in my case.
Sometimes we complain of depression and loss of spirit. It is not a bad remedy, especially if the disease drags on, to take pen and paper and write the question: What has God done for me? Try to answer it. It will entail the drawing up of a lengthy catalog, and it is fair to suggest that, before you are halfway through, you will have forgotten all about your depression.
An old priest was suffering acutely from an attack of eczema. "Do you find it a great trial, Father?" asked a visitor who knew the busy life the priest had lived. "A great trial? I do not sleep much at night now, because this thing irritates me so. But this much I'll tell you: I often sit up in this bed, at one or two in the morning, and the happiness in my heart is so great that I refrain only with difficulty from shouting for sheer joy."
Magnificat! All God's friends are rejoicing in this Visitation mystery. I too am His friend. He Who is mighty hath done great things to me. "In a heart united to God it is always springtime."
Mary, Cause of Our Joy, I would seek happiness where alone it can be found, where you found it, and Elizabeth, and the Baptist. But I am torn by specious promises, always alluring me and never fulfilling. Deign to disabuse me. Deign to see to it that I consent to be disillusioned.