The prophet proclaims a joyful message joyfully. That the Lord is in the midst of the people is a matter for rejoicing, with a joy that reaches out to others and involves others. The joy which the prophet sings of is a gift from God and is a sharing in God's own joy.

If ever we would seek an example of love which is not a pretence but is sincere, and which involves 'profound respect for each other', it is put before us in the encounter between Mary and Elizabeth. The emphasis on hospitality and on treating everyone with equal kindness reminds us that the generosity shown between these women of destiny became an ideal for the followers of Mary's Son. It could be worth noting that this feast, originally a Franciscan celebration initiated by St Bonaventure, was extended to the universal Church in an attempt to end the Great Western Schism in the foureenth century.

The encounter between Mary and Elizabeth is clearly and movingly a moment of solidarity - solidarity between two women finding themselves in exceptional circumstances and solidarity between the Jewish and the Christian visions of what God does in the world. And Mary's great prayer of joy sings of God's solidarity with those who are lowly or in need of help or mercy.