Madonna and Child

On a dismal, stormy, wind-gusty, winterís night, the owner of a neighborhood bakery decided to close his shop early. ìThere wonít be any customers on a night like this,î he reasoned.

As he was about to lock the bakery door, a man rushed in, shivering and wet from head-to-toe. ìIím here to pick up two sweet rolls,î he said. The baker was amazed that anyone would brave such bad weather for just two sweet rolls. ìAre you married?î he asked the customer. ìOf course Iím married,î the man replied. ìDo you suppose my mother would send me out on a night like this?î

Todayís Gospel episode tells the story of a mother-to-be venturing out ìto the town in the hill country of Juda.î The mother-to-be who undertook that difficult journey was Mary, the mother-to-be of the Lord Jesus. Maryís reason for the trip was to visit her cousin Elizabeth who was the mother-to-be of John the Baptist. In her greeting to Mary, Elizabeth, with a…