Gospel in Art: Feast of The Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Our Lady (detail from the Ghent Altarpiece /Adoration of the Mystic Lamb, by Jan Van Eyck. Completed by 1432 © St. Bavo Cathedral, Ghent

Source: Christian Art

Gospel of 31 May 2025
Luke 1:39-56

In those days Mary arose and went with haste into the hill country, to a town in Judah, and she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. And when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the baby leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit, and she exclaimed with a loud cry, 'Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! And why is this granted to me that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For behold, when the sound of your greeting came to my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfilment of what was spoken to her from the Lord.'

And Mary said,

'My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour, for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant.

For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed; for he who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name.

And his mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation.

He has shown strength with his arm; he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts; he has brought down the mighty from their thrones and exalted those of humble estate;

He has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent away empty.

He has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy, as he spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to his offspring for ever.'

And Mary remained with her about three months and returned to her home.

Reflection on the painting

As we come to the last day of May, the month traditionally dedicated to Our Lady, and as we celebrate the Feast of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, I'd like to share a story once told by Bishop Fulton Sheen-a beautiful reflection on Mary's role in our lives.

While visiting a school in his Archdiocese of New York, Bishop Sheen was asked by a young pupil, "What can Our Lady do for us?" He paused thoughtfully and then shared a dream he once had. In the dream, God was speaking to St Peter, frustrated that heaven seemed unusually crowded. "Too many people are getting in without proper papers," God said. "You're in charge of the gates-what's going on?" Peter replied, "It's not me, Lord. I turn many away. But when I close the gate, they go round to the window, and your Son's mother lets them in!" It's a charming and touching story, one that reflects Mary's enduring love and her constant intercession on our behalf.

Today's Gospel reminds us that Mary's faith was alive, not only in her acts of love, but also in her deep prayer. Her great hymn of praise, the Magnificat, has echoed through the centuries as a testament to trust in God's mercy. The Visitation-Mary's encounter with Elizabeth-is also a meeting of two miraculous pregnancies: between the Mother of the Saviour and the mother of His last prophet, John the Baptist. Both women understood the deeper mystery unfolding in their embrace.

In truth, every encounter between two people, especially between two believers, carries with it a hidden grace! Every encounter carries a small spiritual reality that often lies just beneath the surface. Mary shows us how to recognise that grace, respond with joy, and always bring Christ to others.

In the Ghent Altarpiece by Jan van Eyck, the Virgin Mary is depicted enthroned beside God the Father, crowned as Queen of Heaven and holding an open book on her lap. The book represents the Holy Scriptures, especially the Old Testament, and highlights Mary's role in the fulfilment of God's promises. Through her "yes" at the Annunciation, she became the vessel through whom the long-awaited Messiah entered the world, thus bringing the prophecies of old to completion.

LINKS

Gospel in Art: https://christian.art/
Today's Reflection: https://christian.art/daily-gospel-reading/luke-1-39-56-2025/ (with audio)