Everyone rejoices

In the readings for today’s Feast of the Visitation, everyone rejoices: the prophet Zephaniah rejoices, Israel rejoices, St. Elizabeth rejoices, St. John the Baptist rejoices while still in his mother’s womb, and the most Blessed Mother Mary rejoices.

Why do they rejoice? Because they are aware of the very real and very intimate presence of God.

Why do we not rejoice? Because we are not so aware: we are thinking of something else, looking at something else, listening to something else.

We need to stop, to set aside our worries and those things we think important in our day-to-day world, to look, to listen, and to be aware of the very real and very intimate presence of God.

The LORD, your God, is in your midst, a mighty savior;
He will rejoice over you with gladness,
and renew you in his love…
Zephaniah 3:17