Do we think of it – every encounter with another person is at least potentially a giving and a receiving of Christ? Always we have the power to bring Christ to the other and the power to find him there; and most often, both sides give and receive simultaneously. Our model is today’s Gospel – the visitation of Mary to her cousin Elizabeth.

Neither expected the outpouring of grace they both experienced in that encounter.  Mary went to Elizabeth simply to help and Elizabeth’s child leapt for joy causing his mother to recognize the Christ in Mary; and Mary, surprised by Elizabeth’s recognition, burst into a song of praise. “My soul glorifies the Lord,” Mary said, “and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior.” While the two mothers embraced, their two babies, still in their mothers’ wombs,  kissed.

It is the same with us. We too carry Christ to one another, and receive him there. We too find him in the other, sometimes hidden or wounded, sometimes radiant; sometimes lending a helping hand, sometimes receiving it.  We are all the Body of Christ, members of one another; the same grace flows through all of us. We cannot be separated or divided. It is his love that unites and sustains us. It is in loving that we recognize and are recognized.

“Whenever an act of love is shown, God is making his presence known.”