Mary took Jesus within her on the road to visit her cousin Elizabeth, and when she arrived there, Christ’s presence enacted a change in reality for Elizabeth and John, one that fulfilled scripture. John the Baptist received what he needed to live that life of faith and reverence for God we all know very well today.

Through Jesus and through Mary’s visit, Elizabeth was blessed and could not but say the words of recognition she is well known for.

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? (Luke 1:42-43)

John, in the womb of Elizabeth, leaped for joy! He was sanctified and equipped for his earthly mission to prepare the earth for the public mission of our Lord among us.

We are all built up by the presence of Christ, and just like Elizabeth and John, we have access to this same blessing today in the Eucharist. Christ within us changes us, and we are invited further still into a deeper personal relationship with him who loves us.

Blessed are we who believe that what has been spoken by our Lord is indeed fulfilled, that the Eucharist is His body and His blood. In the Eucharist, by participating in remembrance of Him, we become little Marys, taking Him within us so that Christ in us can bless the world as we go!

We are Jesus’ earthly vessels. United with him, we are his living tabernacles. Let us become aware of this great blessing so that, like John, we do leap for joy and go forth, unshakable, to live our lives fulfilling the Eucharistic mission of love and mercy.

Let us pray:

Lord, in the Eucharist, we meet you. Sanctify us with your presence in us. Change us so that we may always be your faithful people. Amen.