Visitation: The Living Gospel’s Mother

# Mary, Mother of the Living Gospel: The Joy of the VisitationPope Francis taught that the Virgin Mary is the “Mother of the Living Gospel, a fountain of joy for the little ones” (Apostolic Exhortation *Evangelii Gaudium*, n. 287). The living Gospel is not, therefore, a set of theoretical things to be known and taught, a doctrine, a subject to free elaboration, or an ideology. The Gospel is the joyful news of the presence of Him who became flesh and dwelt among us. The Gospel is an announcement of joy because the living Gospel, which must be announced with firmness and joy, is Christ Himself. The Son of the Virgin Mary is the living Gospel, to be announced to all the little ones.Also in Mary, the joy that surrounds Her corresponds to the presence of Jesus in Her life. Jesus is Mary’s joy. She receives the joy that is Her incarnate Son, who thus anticipates in Her the gift He will later give to all His disciples: “I have said these things to you so that My joy may be in you and your joy may be complete” (John 15:11). This is the living Gospel that must be proclaimed with joy: through Mary, Jesus is among us. He is the Emmanuel. He is with us until the end of time.

The narration of the encounter between Mary and Elizabeth, as recounted by Saint Luke (cf. Lk 1:39-45), emphasizes precisely this dimension of the joy of the Gospel that marks the life of the Mother of Jesus and the life of those who encounter her. In fact, the great gift that Mary brings to Elizabeth is Jesus himself, who, still hidden in his mother’s womb, is a source of joy. With Jesus in her womb, the greeting Mary addressed to Elizabeth causes John the Baptist to leap for joy in Elizabeth’s embrace. For this very reason, even before his birth, John the Baptist, as he was still hidden in his mother’s womb, teaches that before Mary joy is always renewed. With his joy, the Forerunner testifies and teaches that where the Virgin Mary enters, as she did into her house, there joy abounds.**The Joy of Mary in the Presence of Jesus: Biblical Roots**Already in the Old Testament, joy is the immediate consequence of God’s presence. In fact, God must be received with joy, and where God is, everything sings and shouts for joy. As the prophet Zephaniah exhorted: “Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout aloud, O daughter of Jerusalem! Lo, your king comes to you; triumphant and victorious is he, humble and riding on a donkey” (Zep 3:14). When Mary entered Zaccharias and Elizabeth’s home, without speaking a word, she clearly echoed Zephaniah’s words: “The Lord your God is among you.” The Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary fulfills everything that was foretold. God is in the midst of his people. God visited his people, and joy flooded the earth.When we let Mary enter our homes, our parishes, our occupations, we let joy in. The Virgin Mary is the living Gospel Mother. We are called to imitate her. As she did, we will be witnesses to the joy of the Gospel, witnesses to Christ risen. And joy will flood the earth.*Dr. Fr. João Paulo Queltas Domingues**Chaplain of the Fatima Sanctuary*The scene of the Visitation and Mary’s role as the “living Gospel Mother” are further explored in Pope Francis’ Apostolic Exhortation *Evangelii Gaudium*, where Mary is presented as a model of evangelization and Christian joy.**Deepen your Studies:** Explore Mariology, Marian Theology, Marian Apparitions, and a Master’s in Mariology at Locus Mariologicus.**Mariology Formation:** The Locus Mariologicus Institute offers a Master’s in Mariology, articles, and academic resources on Mariology, Marian Apparitions, and Marian Theology.To deepen your reflection on Mary and the Visitation, consult Pope John Paul II’s Encyclical Redemptoris Mater.

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