Today's Gospel in Art - When Elizabeth saw Mary, the child leapt in her womb

The Visitation, by Rogier Van der Weyden 1435 - 1440 © Maximilian Speck von Sternburg Stiftung, Leipzig

Gospel of 21st December 2019 - Luke 1:39-45

Mary set out and went as quickly as she could to a town in the hill country of Judah. She went into Zechariah's house and greeted Elizabeth. Now as soon as Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the child leapt in her womb and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. She gave a loud cry and said, 'Of all women you are the most blessed, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. Why should I be honoured with a visit from the mother of my Lord? For the moment your greeting reached my ears, the child in my womb leapt for joy. Yes, blessed is she who believed that the promise made her by the Lord would be fulfilled.'

Reflection on the Painting

We stay in Flanders with today's painting by Rogier Van der Weyden …. Shortly after the Annunciation which we discussed yesterday, Mary visits her cousin Elisabeth, who despite her advanced age, miraculously became pregnant, carrying the future John the Baptist for six months. The picture is a vivid depiction of this meeting between Our Lady and Elisabeth, both holding hands on each other's wombs. The landscape behind Mary has lots of little winding roads, showing that she has traveled a long way to visit her cousin...

To read on see: www.christianart.today/daily-gospel-reading/271