Advent Blog Series 2025 “Visions of Visitation: Love in Motion”
Editor’s Note: To begin our 2025 Advent blog series, DC Service Corps volunteer Claire Bosch and DCSC alumna/FMS Interim Grants Manager Bridget Higginbotham introduce the theme of “Visions of Visitation: Love in Motion” by reflecting on how the Visitation relates to the mission of FMS.
“When we feel loved, we experience a force that sets love in motion; as the apostle Paul says, ‘the love of Christ impels us’ (2 Cor 5:14), it drives us, it moves us. Mary feels the push of this love, and goes to help Elizabeth … the Virgin also goes to share her faith in the God of the impossible and her hope in the fulfilment of His promises.”- Pope Francis, Reflection on the Visitation, Feb 2025
These words of Pope Francis have inspired us at Franciscan Mission Service as we begin our Advent journey, reflecting on the story of the Visitation. More than a simple narrative, the Visitation is a beautiful model for mission, showing us how to respond to the love of God with joyful action.
The motion of mission is that of visitation, found in its highest form through the ministry of presence every FMS missioner knows so well. This visitation cannot come from a place of despair or desperation on the part of the one visiting; to go on mission for one’s own gain and consolation is a contortion of this inherent good.
All missioners must rather act in imitation of the Virgin Mary, springing into joyous action from an outpouring of love. Mary’s haste to visit her elderly cousin Elizabeth, who was also miraculously pregnant, displays her love for her relative, her desire to serve her, and her delight in the miracles that have been done through them. As Mary and Elizabeth come together, their delight in the love of the Lord is magnified and made manifest. Jubilant, the two celebrated what God had done for them and for God’s people: the lowly lifted up, the proud cast down from their thrones, and the rich sent away empty.
In this year’s Advent series, “Visions of Visitation: Love in Motion” we will explore our own call to readily and joyfully accompany our brothers and sisters, especially in their time of need. We invite you to follow along with our post to consider how the call to mission and ministry can be heard by each and every follower of Christ.
Question for Reflection: How can you spring into joyous action from an outpouring of love like the Blessed Virgin Mary this Advent?
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