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| Pelican, The Floating Feather, Hondecoeter, 1680, detail |
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2 The Visitation
Mary visits
her elder cousin
Elizabeth
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Who is like the Lord our God, who sits enthroned on high, but stoops to behold the heavens and the earth? He takes up the weak out of the dust and lifts up the poor from the ashes. He sets them with the princes, with the princes of his people. He makes the woman of a childless house to be a joyful mother of children. Psalm 113:5-8
And behold, your kinswoman Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son; and this is the sixth month with her who was called barren. For with God nothing will be impossible." And Mary said, "Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word." And the angel departed from her. In those days Mary arose and went with haste into the hill country, to a city of Judah, and she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. And when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit and she exclaimed with a loud cry, "Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! And why is this granted me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For behold, when the voice of your greeting came to my ears, the babe in my womb leaped for joy. And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her from the Lord." And Mary said, "My soul magnifies the Lord, … Luke 1:36-46
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Magnificat (opposite column)
Our father …
Father in heaven, by your grace the virgin mother of your incarnate Son was blessed in bearing him, but still more blessed in keeping your word: Grant us who honor the exaltation of her lowliness to follow the example of her devotion to your will; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. (BCP collect for May 31 – The Visitation)
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| Garden, Unknown German Master, 1410, detail |
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| Unknown German Master, 1410 |
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| The Visitation, Giotto, 1306 |
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Magnificat The Song of Mary
My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord,
My spirit rejoices in you, O God my Savior;
For you have looked with favor on your lowly servant
From this day all generations will call me blessed:
You, the Almighty have done great things for me,
And holy is your Name.
You have mercy on those who fear you
In every generation.
You have shown the strength of your arm,
You have scattered the proud in their conceit.
You have cast down the mighty from their thrones,
And lifted up the lowly.
You have filled the hungry with good things,
And the rich you have sent away empty.
You have come to the help of your servant Israel,
For you have remembered your promise of mercy,
The promise you made to our father,
To Abraham and his children for ever. Luke 1:46-55
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Continue to next meditation
THE NATIVITY
NOTES
Symbols: 2 Pelicans, scroll with O holy pelican (from Liber Usualis), flowers of garden, enclosed garden (Saturday hours), Orchard: carob, apricot, almond, ark of covenant, symbols of John the Baptist
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