We want to make our heart like a monstrance, exposing Jesus to all we meet. Mary, the first monstrance, showed her Son to the Shepherds, the Magi, to all. Before Jesus was born, Mary brought Him to Elizabeth who rejoiced in Whom she saw. Elizabeth, in turn, became a monstrance herself and sang the first beatitude and Mary responded with the Magnificat. Together the two women - each bearing Jesus in her heart - sang a beautiful canticle of praise to the Lord. May our own encounters with others reflect the mystery of the Visitation as we bring our Lord to a waiting world.
Therefore, let us say often:
Jesus, let my heart be
the altar where You sacrifice Yourself
the tabernacle where You watch over us
the monstrance where You manifest Yourself to the world. Amen
~Giuliana Spigone, A.O.
