St. Ambrose: THE NATIVITY OF SAINT JOHN THE BAPTIST : the Blessed Virgin’s role in the sanctification of John the Baptist

St. Ambrose: THE NATIVITY OF  SAINT JOHN THE BAPTIST : the Blessed Virgin’s role in the sanctification of John the Baptist  

The attention of virgins has been drawn to Mary's delicacy, and now it is for them to consider her humility. She went as one relation to another, the younger visiting the elder; and not only did she make the journey, but she was the first to speak—as was only right, since the more securely a virgin possesses her chastity, the humbler she ought to be. The woman who intends to keep herself chaste should know how to defer to her elders; she should be a pattern of humility. The thought will both arouse your devotion and serve instruct you.  What we have to notice is that it was the superior who went to the inferior, and for the inferior's sake. Mary went to Elizabeth, Christ to John; just as later, if Christ went to John to be baptized, it was to raise baptism to new heights of holiness.

The boons that followed Mary's coming and the Lord's presence were not slow in revealing themselves. No sooner had Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, than the child leaped in her womb; and Elizabeth herself was filled with the Holy Ghost. Notice the choice of words, each with its precise shade of meaning. Elizabeth was the first to hear the voice, but John the first to feel the grace it brought. Elizabeth's hearing was a natural phenomenon; John's leaping was his response to a mystery. Elizabeth noticed Mary's coming, John the Lord's: woman was aware of the woman, the child of the Child. While the two women talked of the favors they had received, the children set to work within them and for their mothers' profit began to enact the mystery we worship. Two wonders were wrought: the mothers prophesied and they prophesied under inspiration from their children.

Mary returned home when she had been with her about three months. It is good to be told of Mary that she made herself useful and that she used a sacred number. If she stayed so long, it was not merely for the sake of her relation, but for the advantage of the child that was to be so great a prophet. The moment she went in, things advanced so remarkably that at the sound of her greeting the child leaped in the womb and its mother was filled with the Holy Spirit; so that holy Mary’s continued presence for so long a time must have made more difference still. As she stayed with Elizabeth for about three months, the prophet could be anointed and exercised, as a good athlete should, even while he was in his mother’s womb. And well he might be, as it was no ordinary contest he was training for.