Gifts of the Visitation Project by ACCW, 2021
Based on the book, Gifts of the Visitation by Denise Bossert
For a downloadable, printable version of this reflection, click here.
Opening Quote:
“‘I know that the hearts of young Chileans dream, and that they dream big dreams, for these lands have given rise to experiences that spread and multiplied across the different countries of our continent,’ he said. ‘For faith excites in young people feelings of adventure, an adventure that beckons them to traverse unbelievable landscapes, rough and tough terrain,’ he said, but added that young people like adventures and challenges.”
Pope Francis, 1-17-18 “Life with Christ is a wonderful adventure.” JPII
Scripture:
“During those days Mary set out and traveled to the hill country in haste to a town of Judah, where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the infant leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth, filled with the holy Spirit, cried out in a loud voice and said, “Most blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. And how does this happen to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For at the moment the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the infant in my womb leaped for joy. Blessed are you who believed that what was spoken to you by the Lord would be fulfilled.”
Lk 1:39-45
Written Reflection:
So often people think of the life of faith as a life of boredom. But what we find, from the great saints to the humblest believer, is that faith is the GREAT adventure of life! If you want adventure, give your life fully to Christ and then watch out! Bossert helps us to reflect on faith and the Spirit of Adventure: “What adventure is waiting for me? Does my love for Christ in the Eucharist continue to burn within me when I enter the work week? Are my hands ready and my tongue quick to share Christ when another seems receptive? ... How can I leave my comfort zone today and open myself to the adventure God has in mind for me?” (p. 84).
“This Mother [Mary] has always had a spirit of adventure. And she teaches us to have the same spirit. She whispers to us: ‘What is the Father asking of you?’ Mary shows us how to travel along the Jordan River, through the valley where so many gather. She also leads us up, through the Judean hills, where the path is not so easy to follow, but where the winds of the Holy Spirit blow powerfully and angels keep one’s feet from dashing against stones.”
Gifts of the Visitation, Bossert, p. 83.
Video Witness:
Gift of Adventure by Andrea Ault and Tricia Lokmer, both of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, Hiawatha.
Reflection/Discussion Questions:
Andrea exclaims, “What an adventure it has been!” She met Tricia when she first joined the parish, as the mother of one and now expecting her fifth baby! She claims Tricia gave her the “greatest invitation,” which was to attend a Christian Experience Weekend (CEW). The weekend changed Andrea’s life. Andrea expressed, “Something about her joyful invitation continues to lead me on this adventure to Christify others.” When have you been given an invitation to an adventure in Christ? How did you receive it? What difference did it make in your life?
Andrea laughs at how Tricia is “literally ‘waiting to Christify anyone!’” And Tricia remarks how Andrea is now on this journey to Christify others: “Anytime we have someone new in the parish, ‘Andrea has told me about it.’” Bossert writes, “Like Mary, our job is to ‘Christify’ the world. And we can’t do that—we can’t even encounter Christ, let alone share him – if we stay in the familiar ‘bedroom’ of our ‘Nazareth’ home” (p. 76). What does the term, “Christify” mean to you? Are you on the journey, the adventure, to share Jesus with others? And then to help him or her to grow in faith?
Both Tricia and Andrea speak to the journey of the parish group, “Women of Worth.” When the pandemic hit, they wondered how they would continue this important ministry. Dealing with COVID-19, they were challenged to go deeper; they took a leap of faith and ventured into the “virtual scene.” Instead of the ministry dying, the ministry for women has grown, even though it meets Friday mornings at 5:45 AM!!! Tricia and Andrea stepped out in faith to bring Christ to others. When and how have you stepped out in faith? Did it feel like an adventure then?
An experience that cemented their friendship was when Andrea asked Tricia to serve as her spiritual mentor in IMPACT, the Archdiocesan Lay Formation program. It was one more experience, which caused their “friendship to blossom.” Through their friendship, God has called them to “leave the comfort zones we’re so used to, and open up to the adventure God has for us.” Are you ready to leave your comfort zone? Is there a spiritual friend or mentor, who can help you to step out in faith?
Tricia concludes their witness: “My prayer for you is to continue to be open to God. Like Mary, God is calling you to Christify the people in your ... circle of influence ... the people you are closest to are really the people we are called to share Jesus with. So, go on that adventure!” Who are you called to share Jesus with? How willing are you to go on the adventure of sharing your faith?
Challenge:
Name one way you will step outside of your comfort zone to bring Christ to another. Spiritual friendship makes it easier to step out, which is why Jesus sent His disciples out by two. Who is one friend who can help you in your spiritual journey? Most often our steps in “Christifying” begin with an invitation: who is one person you will invite to join you in the journey of faith? What is the invitation to: a women’s group, such as Women of Worth*, MOMS, Bible Study, CEW, or any offering in your parish?
Closing Prayer:
“Lord, give me a spirit of adventure. Help me to choose the path you have set before me. Give me a sense of purpose and zeal for souls that is so clearly present in Mary’s life, and seek to follow her lead in sharing you with others. For your glory. Amen.”
Gifts of the Visitation, Bossert, p. 85.
Hail Mary, full of grace. The Lord is with you.
Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb, Jesus.
Holy Mary, Mother of God,
pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death. Amen.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
* For more information on Women of Worth, please contact Tricia Lokmer at: [email protected].