⇐Year B - Visitation of Mary to Elizabeth⇒


Magnificat
James Tissot, 1890

My dear friends,

The lectionary reading to accompany the story of the Visitation and Magnificat is Romans 12:9-16, in which we may find teachings of the Apostle Paul that encompass the supreme virtues of love, compassion, and wisdom embodied by a Bodhisattva. Let us explore how these verses reflect the Four Immeasurables (brahmaviharas) and the six Mahayana perfections (paramitas), guiding us towards a life of spiritual fulfillment and altruistic service.

Let love be genuine;
hate what is evil, hold fast to what is good;
Love one another with mutual affection;
outdo one another in showing honor.
- Romans 12:9-10

This passage calls for a genuine and selfless love, paralleling the Brahmavihara of loving-kindness (metta). It also aligns with the paramita of ethical discipline (sila) by encouraging us to reject evil and cling to goodness. Showing mutual affection and honor fosters the development of patience (kshanti) and respect for all beings.

Do not lag in zeal, be ardent in spirit,
serve the Lord.
Rejoice in hope, be patient in suffering,
persevere in prayer.
- Romans 12:11-12

Paul’s exhortation to maintain zeal and ardor in spirit reflects the paramita of joyful perseverance (virya). Being patient in suffering is akin to the perfection of patience (kshanti), and persevering in prayer aligns with the paramita of meditative concentration (dhyana). Together, these verses encourage a steadfast and joyous commitment to spiritual practice.

Contribute to the needs of the saints; extend hospitality to strangers.
- Romans 12:13

This call to contribute to others' needs and extend hospitality embodies the paramita of generosity (dana). By sharing resources and welcoming strangers, we practice compassion (karuna) and enhance our connection with others, fostering a spirit of community and altruistic love.

Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them.
- Romans 12:14

Blessing those who persecute us is a profound practice of compassion (karuna) and patience (kshanti). It reflects the ability to maintain equanimity (upekkha) and respond with kindness even in the face of adversity, thus embodying the spirit of the Bodhisattva path.

Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.
- Romans 12:15

Empathizing with others' joys and sorrows demonstrates the Brahmavihara of compassion (karuna) and sympathetic joy (mudita). By sharing in the emotional experiences of others, we cultivate deeper connections and a more profound sense of unity and interdependence.

Live in harmony with one another; do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly;
- Romans 12:16

Living in harmony and practicing humility reflect the wisdom (prajna) of recognizing the equality and inherent worth of all beings. This approach fosters equanimity (upekkha) and supports the paramita of ethical discipline (sila) by encouraging us to treat everyone with respect and kindness, regardless of their social status.

This endorsement of the Brahmaviharas and paramitas by the Apostle Paul gives us confidence that these are indeed qualities that are "praised by the wise" which we should "adopt and carry out", as recommended by the Buddha in the Kalama Sutta. By embodying love, compassion, and wisdom, and practicing the six paramitas, we can cultivate a life of altruistic service and spiritual fulfillment. Let us strive to integrate these virtues into our daily lives, uplifting ourselves and others on the path to enlightenment.