Mary set out and traveled to the hill country in haste to the town of Judah where she entered the house of Zechariah. Mary moved with haste, with a sense of urgency, not with anxiety or fear of what was to come, but with joyful anticipation, with thanksgiving in her heart and in her womb.
She may have traveled by herself but she was never alone because God was not just with her, He was within her. Unseen, yet present. I am fond of the thought of Pope Benedict XVI when he referred to Mary's traveling to visit Elizabeth as the first Eucharistic procession. Today as we draw closer to the Nativity of the Lord, Holy Mother Church directs our thoughts to Mary. Inviting us to spend time with her and consider her faith. Perhaps the reason for this is because right about now, with Christmas only days away, too many of us are feeling anxious about all of the things we have yet to prepare. Food to be prepare, gifts to be bought and wrapped, and yet here we are, gently summoned to stop and sit for a while with the Mother of God as she goes to visit her kinswoman.