Homily for the Feast of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Part of Elizabeth's greeting to Mary, which we hear in today's Gospel passage, has become a part of the Hail Mary: "Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb." Elizabeth proclaims Mary blessed because she recognizes that she is the mother of the Lord. 

She also calls Mary blessed because of her faith, saying, "Blessed are you who believed that what was spoken to you by the Lord would be fulfilled." Because of Mary's faith in God, she became the mother of God's Son. Her faithful response to God's call confirmed her role as the mother of the Lord. 

We are called to imitate Mary's faith not only in our prayers and worship but also in our daily lives. In his letter to the Galatians, St. Paul speaks of faith that is expressed through love. Mary's life and influence guide us toward such a faith, a faith that should shape our interactions with others, influence our decisions, and inform our priorities as we journey together toward God.