1ST READING
As
we celebrate the Feast of the Visitation, we celebrate Mary’s
selflessness in putting the care of Elizabeth above her own desires and
needs. The world today needs to see more of this kind of generosity and
less of the self-focus that is so evident, particularly when it comes to
material things. Mary’s whole life was given over to the call that God
gave her to be the mother of His Son — something that was a great
privilege as well as a source of much suffering.
Zephaniah 3:14-18 (or Romans 12:9-16)
14 Shout for joy, O daughter Zion! Sing joyfully, O Israel! Be glad and exult with all your heart, O daughter Jerusalem! 15 The
Lord has removed the judgment against you, he has turned away your
enemies; the King of Israel, the Lord, is in your midst, you have no
further misfortune to fear. 16 On that day, it shall be said to Jerusalem: Fear not, O Zion, be not discouraged! 17 The Lord, your God, is in your midst, a
mighty savior; he will rejoice over you with gladness, and renew you in his love, he will sing joyfully because of you, 18 as one sings at festivals.
P S A L M
Isaiah 12:2-3, 4, 5-6
R: Among you is the great and Holy One of Israel.
2 God indeed is my savior; I am confident and unafraid. My strength and my courage is the Lord, and he has been my savior. 3 With joy you will draw water at the fountain of salvation. (R) 4 Give thanks to the Lord, acclaim his name; among the nations make known his deeds, proclaim how exalted is his name. (R) 5
Sing praise to the Lord for his glorious achievement; let this be known throughout all the earth. 6 Shout with exultation, O city of Zion, for great in your midst is the Holy One of Israel! (R)
GOSPEL
Mary
knows that she is living a privileged life as the Mother of God. I
believe she is also aware, even at this point, that it is not going to
be easy. We all need to embrace this as a truth for our lives — namely,
that trials and difficulties will come our way. Then Mary can be an
example for us in dealing with them, pondering over them in her heart
and reflecting on what they are teaching her about God’s love for her.
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION
Blessed are you, O Virgin Mary, who believed that what was spoken to you by the Lord would be fulfilled.
Luke 1:39-56
39 Mary set out and traveled to the hill country in haste to a town of Judah, 40 where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. 41 When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the infant leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth, filled with the Holy Spirit, 42 cried out in a loud voice and said, “Most blessed are you among
women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. 43 And how does this happen to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? 44 For at the moment the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the infant in my womb leaped for joy. 45 Blessed are you who believed that what was spoken to you by the Lord would be fulfilled.” 46 And Mary said: “My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord; 47 my spirit rejoices in God my savior. 48 For he has looked with favor on his lowly servant. From this day all generations will call me blessed: 49 the Almighty has done great things for me, and holy is his Name. 50 He has mercy on those who fear him in every generation. 51 He has shown the strength of his arm, he has scattered the proud in their conceit. 52 He has cast down the mighty from their thrones, and has lifted up the lowly. 53 He has filled the hungry with good things; and the rich he has sent away empty. 54 He has come to the help of his servant Israel, for he has remembered his promise of mercy, 55 the promise he made to our fathers, to Abraham and his children for ever.” 56 Mary remained with her about three months and then returned to her home.
think: Mary can be an example for us in dealing with the trials and difficulties that come our way.
T O D A Y’S BLESSING LIST
Thank You Lord for: __________________
____________________________________
God’s special verse/thought for me today_
_____________________________________
READ THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR 1 Samuel 29-31
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