Lk 1:39-56
39During those days Mary set out and traveled to the hill country in haste to a town of Judah, 40where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. 41When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the infant leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth, filled with the holy Spirit, 42cried out in a loud voice and said, “Most blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. 43And how does this happen to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? 44For at the moment the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the infant in my womb leaped for joy. 45Blessed are you who believed that what was spoken to you by the Lord would be fulfilled.”
46And Mary said: “My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord;/ 47my spirit rejoices in God my savior./ 48For he has looked upon his handmaid’s lowliness;/ behold, from now on will all ages call me blessed./ 49The Mighty One has done great things for me,/ and holy is his name./ 50His mercy is from age to age/ to those who fear him./ 51He has shown might with his arm,/ dispersed the arrogant of mind and heart./ 52He has thrown down the rulers from their thrones/ but lifted up the lowly./ 53The hungry he has filled with good things;/ the rich he has sent away empty./ 54He has helped Israel his servant,/ remembering his mercy,/ 55according to his promise to our fathers,/ to Abraham and to his descendants forever.”/ 56Mary remained with her about three months and returned to her home.
MARY SET OUT AND TRAVELED TO THE HILL COUNTRY IN HASTE. Though we celebrate this episode in Mary’s life as the Visitation, I prefer to imagine it as Mary getting away for a while to give everybody a rest.
She must be tired explaining to her parents that the baby in her womb is from the Holy Spirit. The Spirit is a new idea for her people. She must want to give Joseph some space for him to think freely and plan his next move.
And the best way is to go far away for a while. She can even help an elderly cousin also with child. Elizabeth will understand her and will not ask so many questions because they are in the same graced situation.
I believe it is all right to go away for a while and give space or rest to one another, especially to our souls. After all, like Mary who returns home, we will find that all roads will lead us back home.