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Sister Wendy is a well known world Art lover. She lives
in a monastery cell. A favourite masterpiece of hers is Mary and Elizabeth,
greeting each other in joy. They are both expecting babies. The artist catches
Mary’s beautiful fresh face, with Elizabeth’s more mature admiration. Their
hands are focus of attention, in the way they hug and greet each other. Elizabeth’s
baby responds to the voice of Mary and Elizabeth’s heart cries out with
delight. The artist frames the story in a regal archway with an opening pointing
towards the world. This humble happening will affect and bless the whole of
creation.
When the angel told Mary that her cousin Elizabeth was ‘expecting’
in old age, Mary’s immediate thought was ...How can I help her? The
preparations for every baby are practical, earthy and ordinary, and Mary
went quickly to help. There was no sensationalism. It was all about washing
and cooking and chatting and the world of making family.
At Christmas time our hands, our faces, our voices are
on ‘over time’ too, in searching ways to help, family and others. What we
think is ordinary, making a call, writing a card, sending a text, thinking
out presents, helping the less fortunate, is indeed extraordinary. It is
humanity at its best.
We call to-day’s story...The Visitation...the second
love mystery of The Rosary. It is an apt name, because it is the way God
visits us, through the hands and faces and voices of the ordinary, everyday
people, in the journey of life.
Liam Hickey St. Ciarans Hartstown Dublin 15.
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