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| Painting: The Visitation by Raphael (1517), downloaded from Wikipedia |
Go forth, the Mass is ended.
Or:
Go and announce the Gospel of the Lord.
Or:
Go in peace, glorifying the Lord by your life.
Or:
Go in peace.
First dismal in Latin is "Ite, missa est." It's probable that the word "Mass" is derived from this dismissal. This "going forth" suggests that what we take what we receive in the Mass out into the world.
It seems to me that the second Joyful Mystery, the Visitation, closely ties in with this dismissal from Mass. Like the Blessed Virgin Mary, we receive Jesus within us, and we bring Jesus within us to others. As Mary bears Christ, we too bear Christ after receiving the gift of Jesus in the Eucharist. This means that our worship is brought out into the world.
But I also think that this mystery of the Visitation gives another perspective. As Saint Elizabeth and John in her womb recognize their Lord Jesus in Mary, we can also recognize Jesus within others (see Matthew 25:31-46). We are all in need of help from Jesus, and often this help comes through other human beings carrying out the will of God. And as you did it to one of the least of these His brethren, you did it to Jesus.
The mystery of the Visitation is one of bringing Jesus and help to our fellow men.
