Greetings in the Name of our Crucified and Risen Lord and Savior Jesus Christ:
Today, May 31, is the Feast Day when the Christian Church recognizes The Visitation.
This post is just one of many devoted to the Feast Days that the historic Christian Church observed that are largely neglected today unless it falls on a Sunday. I pray that you find this message beneficial in your devotions this day.
“John the Baptizer and Jesus, the two great figures of salvation history, now come together in the visit to Elizabeth by the Virgin Mary (Luke 1:39-45), both of whom conceived their children under miraculous circumstances. Thus John is brought into the presence of Jesus while they are still in their mothers’ wombs. This presence of the Lord causes a response by the child John as he leaps in Elizabeth’s womb. John’s response to the presence of Jesus, the Messiah, foreshadows John’s own role as forerunner. Already now, a new creation is beginning, and a baby sill in the womb hails the new creation’s inception. Foreshadowed in John’s leap are the miracles of Jesus, who will cause all creation to leap at His presence: “The blind receive their sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, the poor have good news preached to them (Luke 7:22).” The incarnate presence of the Messiah also evokes a response from Elizabeth, who proclaims Mary’s blessedness. Mary’s Magnificat (Luke 1:46-55) provides the theological significance of this meeting as Mary sums up her place in salvation history. Mary’s song is a hymn to God for His gracious gifts to the least in this world, whom He has lifted up out of lowliness solely because of His grace and mercy.” 1
The verse or theme for this feast is “Alleluia. Blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her from the Lord. Alleluia.” It is from Luke 1:45.
Old Testament: Isaiah 11:1-5
Psalm: Psalm 138 (antiphon v. 8a)
Epistle: Romans 12:9-16
Gospel: Luke 1:39-56
The hymn appointed for this day is “From East to West” as found on page 385 in the Lutheran Service Book.
Collect of the Day:
Almighty God, You chose the virgin Mary to be the mother of Your Son and made known through her Your gracious regard for the poor and lowly and despised. Grant that we may receive Your Word in humility and faith, and so be made one with Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
Pastor Jim Tuell
1 Treasury of Daily Prayer, Scot A Kinnaman, General Editor, Concordia Publishing House, Saint Louis, MO., 2008, p, 393.
