Note: On Tuesdays and some Sundays, you can find me at Your Daily Tripod, owned by my friend TonyD. A longer version of the post below appears there.
Spend a little time with this beautiful painting by the 19th century French artist James Tissot. The work, which hangs in the Brooklyn Museum, provides us with a bit of a different perspective of the Visitation. For starters, Tissot depicts a meeting not just of 
Elizabeth and Mary, but of Zechariah as well. Elizabeth and Zechariah seem a bit confused, perhaps awestruck, perhaps frightened. Mary, on the other hand, appears to be in or close to a state of ecstasy. Tissot called it a “quiet, reverent, whispered expression of a spirit moved to its very depths.” He created this and other biblical works after experiencing a rebirth of sorts of his Catholic faith in 1885.
And Mary said:
“My soul magnifies the Lord,
and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
for he has looked with favor on the lowliness of his servant.
Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed;
for the Mighty One has done great things for me,
and holy is his name.” (Luke 1:46-49, NRSVCE)
Mary’s appearance in Tissot’s paintingis in perfect harmony with her words. For Mary, it’s all about God and what He has done. She is grateful, humbled, trusting. She pays homage to this favor of an incomprehensible (to most) pregnancy, unconcerned about where it might take her next, focusing not on her own situation and what the next steps are—but on the Lord’s greatness.
While Mary’s gift was unarguably unique in all the world, God presents us with blessings each and every day. We give birth to children and ideas. We fall in love. We create great works of art or fair to middling devotions or stunning photographs. Our medical knowledge and compassion keep people alive. Blessed are we, to be sure. But about whom do our hearts, souls, and mouths proclaim the greatness?
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