July 2, 2023 - The Visitation Sermon

Old Testament: Isaiah 11:1-5
Psalm 138 (antiphon: v. 8a)
Epistle: Romans 12:9-16
Gospel:Luke 1:39-45 (46-56)

The Visitation
Today Zechariah's house is prepared to sing: the Lord God of Israel has visited His people (Luke 1:68). For the Scriptures are being fulfilled: there shall come forth a shoot from the stump of Jesse, and a branch from his roots shall bear fruit (Isa. 11:1). What could raise a King from a dead line? Only the Lord Himself! This is no son of man's will, but the Seed of the woman (Gen. 3:15). The Word of the Lord has done this, and so all are blessed in Him. The greeting of blessed Mary causes John to leap in Elizabeth's womb (Luke 1:41). Both are delighted at what the Word has wrought: "blessed is she who believed there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken by the Lord" (Luke 1:45). Likewise we too rejoice with those who rejoice (Rom. 12:12-15), for our joyful hope is the Lord who has visited us to redeem us-not just a town in Judah but our entire fallen world. The Holy Spirit discloses where salvation is to be found: in the Most Blessed Fruit of Mary's blessed womb. And the whole Church rejoices, saying, "my Beloved Bridegroom, behold, He comes!" (Song of Sol. 2:8)