We continue to read today the story of the Visitation and meditate on the encounter of Mary and Elizabeth, Jesus and John. It is important for us to meditate on the contents of Mary's Magnificat, but equally important to contemplate her and learn to appreciate her attitude of praise and thanksgiving and, as suggested in yesterday's reflection, to learn from the context of sharing and service in which she praised God. By contemplating Mary we are learn that we come to a deeper appreciation of the gifts we receive when we share them with others.

Mary's attentive concern for Elizabeth can be seen later in her attentive concern for the bride and groom at Cana. When she realized their potential embarrassment, she immediately did what she could, by drawing the attention of Jesus to their predicament.

In his public life, Jesus involved his disciples in the miracle of the multiplication of the loaves by giving the disciples the task of distributing the bread. Similarly, at Cana Mary involved the servants in the miracle of the water changed into wine with the simple words: "Do whatever he tells you." (John 2:5)