And our guide is Luke, who takes us immediately from the Annunciation to The Visitation. 

Mary’s first action after finding out she will bring the Savior into the world shows her concern for the other mother involved, who is older and already six months pregnant with the child who will herald the Savior’s arrival. 

Mary begins her recorded life, not worrying about herself but in the service of another mother and her baby, and she does so in a hurry. 

In today’s Gospel, Luke will tell us Mary proceeded in haste and that, when Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the infant lept in her womb, and Elizabeth, filled with The Holy Spirit, cried out in a loud voice, saying:
“Most Blessed are you among women and Blessed is the fruit of your womb. And how does this happen to me that the mother of My Lord should come to me, for at the moment the sound of your greeting reached my ears the infant in my womb leaped for joy. 

Blessed are you who believed
that what was spoken to you by the Lord would be fulfilled.”

And Mary said:

“My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord; my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has looked with favor on his lowly servant. From this day, all generations will call me Blessed: the Almighty has done great things for me, and holy is his Name.”

Blessed Mother and St. Elizabeth, please pray for all of us.