The Visitation

Zachariah and Elizabeth
Parents of John the Baptist

Feast Day November 5

As members of the Marian Mantle Group, we share in a constant prayer that God will do the often seemingly impossible and soften a prodigal's heart in regard to the Church.  We look to the reports of answered prayer from others whose miracle has already taken place.  We turn to those saints who have witnessed the impossible in their lives.  When Mary questioned how her pregnancy could be possible, Gabriel told her she would witness another seemingly impossible event.  Her cousin Elizabeth, who was well past her childbearing years, would have a baby.  What do Zachariah and Elizabeth teach us?  Live a life of faith and trust that God will make a way no matter how bleak the road ahead might appear.

Zachariah and Elizabeth in Scripture
Luke: 1

5-7    in  the days of Herod, King of Judea, 3 there was a priest named Zechariah of the priestly division of Abijah; his wife was from the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. Both were righteous in the eyes of God, observing all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blamelessly. But they had no child, 4 because Elizabeth was barren and both were advanced in years.

12-13    Zechariah was troubled by what he saw, and fear came upon him. But the angel said to him, "Do not be afraid,  Zechariah, because your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall name him John.

18-20    Then Zechariah said to the angel, "How shall I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife is advanced in years." And the angel said to him in reply, "I am Gabriel, who stand before God. I was sent to speak to you and to announce to you this good news. But now you will be speechless and unable to talk until the day these things take place, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled at their proper time."

41-45  When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the infant leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth, filled with the holy Spirit, cried out in a loud voice and said, "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? For at the moment the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the infant in my womb leaped for joy. Blessed are you who believed that what was spoken to you by the Lord would be fulfilled."

60-64  but his mother said in reply, "No. He will be called John." But they answered her, "There is no one among your relatives who has this name." So they made signs, asking his father what he wished him to be called. He asked for a tablet and wrote, "John is his name," and all were amazed. Immediately his mouth was opened, his tongue freed, and he spoke blessing God.

The Canticle of Zechariah
Luke 1:68-75;78-79

Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, for he has visited and brought redemption to his people. He has raised up a horn for our salvation within the house of David his servant, even as he promised through the mouth of his holy prophets from of old: salvation from our enemies and from the hand of all who hate us, to show mercy to our fathers and to be mindful of his holy covenant and of the oath he swore to Abraham our father, and to grant us that, rescued from the hand of enemies, without fear we might worship him in holiness and righteousness before him all our days because of the tender mercy of our God by which the daybreak from on high will visit us to shine on those who sit in darkness and death's shadow, to guide our feet into the path of peace.

Elizabeth's Prayer

"Most blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. Blessed are you who believed that what was spoken to you by the Lord would be fulfilled."

Prayer to Zachariah and Elizabeth

Parents of the one crying in the desert, "Prepare the way of the Lord," God blessed you with a baby when you thought the situation was hopeless.  Intercede for us that our prayers for those we love will be answered soon.  May your story help us to trust God and praise Him in all things. Amen.