In the Victorian 'Language of Flowers', the brave cyclamen represents diffidence. These characteristics remind me of Saint Elizabeth, who is also brave, as well as diffident in the sense of being retiring and modest.......
"Yet again, by not saying much, Luke seems to convey an atmosphere, this time of gravely serene resignation. There is none of Sarah's 'well fancy that' laughter here. Elizabeth knows the heavy responsibility her child will bear, its importance far exceeding that Of Isaac. Apart from one remark, there is silence until Mary's arrival. Then Elizabeth and the baby within her are filled with the Holy Spirit and immediately recognise Mary as carrying the Son of God, the long-promised Holy One of Israel. Then from the hitherto almost taciturn Elizabeth is wrung the 'loud cry' of recognition and welcome. But buried in her remarkable words there is a deep modesty and lack of self-importance: 'And why is this granted me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?' How amazing it must have been for such a woman. She knew her Scriptures, and Luke makes it clear that Zechariah, despite his temporary dumbness, has shared with her his knowledge that their own son is to herald the Messiah. And now, here in front of her is that Messiah, hidden in the flesh of her own
kinswoman..............
"Again I am reminded of two paintings. The first is in the 'Hastings Book of Hours and the second is by the same 19th century artist as mentioned yesterday. The first shows a middle-aged, healthily plump Elizabeth, who seems to have run from her house in order to honour her visitor. A much older Zechariah is hobbling up, some distance behind his wife, and if a man can be painted to look dumb, he looks dumb! The domesticity of the scene lends it truth. The 19th century fresco on the other hand, depicts a much older and frail Elizabeth, at a later moment during the arrival of Mary. No third figure distracts the eye. Both 'Elizabeths' express profound respect for Mary and a most earnest need for confirmation and reaassurance from her. The second 'Elizabeth' is kneeling but is about to be raised by Mary, whose hands rest with gentle firmness on the older woman's arms. One can almost feel, with her, Elizabeth's fragile, thin, and aged bones beneath the poor cloth of her robe. Compassion streams from Our Lady here................I am further reminded that the Visitation is not merely a meeting; it lasts three months. Mary stays with Elizabeth almost until the birth of John..............
"In Book 2 of his 'Commentary on Saint Luke's Gospel', St. Ambrose of Milan draws attention to a (universally) very important aspect of the mystery of the Visitation. Everyone who has believed, he says, both conceives the Word and recognises God's works. And so before going shopping, and of course inspecting my cyclamen, I again conclude with a Hail Mary and the fifth Great Magnificat antiphon, O Oriens: 'O Day-Star, Splendour of everlasting light and Sun of Justice: come to illumine those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death.' "
Extract from 'Gardening with God: Light in Darkness' Copyright Jane Mossendew 2002
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