"It's good to visit..."

 

I have a friend who always ends our skype calls with ‘It’s been good to visit with you’. I often smile to myself because it’s not really a phrase we use in Ireland. A 'visit' to someone is usually in person. Yet it never ceases to make me reflect. Every interaction, each phone call, WhatsApp, each text, each emoji, each video-call, is in fact a visit with someone. This first year in the ministry as a General Councillor, I have learned how important the fraternal/canonical visitation is, as I travelled to our different communities throughout the world. When we visit someone, or they visit us, we allow them in our lives and we are invited into theirs- we walk on the holy ground of each other's lives, let us tread gently!

On this beautiful feastday of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary to her cousin Elizabeth, my prayer for each of us is that the joy will be like that of Mary and Elizabeth when they met, as we recognise Christ in each other. May we reach out to those who suffer loneliness, especially hidden loneliness and may we never be indifferent to the suffering of others who feel alone or isolated. So whether it’s ‘ a cuppa and a catch-up’ or a ‘visit’ to someone, digitally or in person, let us try and be truly present to those we visit and allow ourselves be blessed by others who come to visit us!