The Gospel according to Luke 1:39-56

Mary set out and traveled to the hill country in haste to a town of Judah, where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the infant leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth, filled with the Holy Spirit, cried out in a loud voice and said, "Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. And how does this happen to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For at the moment the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the infant in my womb leaped for joy. Blessed are you who believed that what was spoken to you by the Lord would be fulfilled." And Mary said: "My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord; my spirit rejoices in God my Savior for he has looked with favor on his lowly servant. From this day all generations will call me blessed: the Almighty has done great things for me and holy is his Name. He has mercy on those who fear him in every generation. He has shown the strength of his arm, and has scattered the proud in their conceit. He has cast down the mighty from their thrones, and has lifted up the lowly. He has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent away empty. He has come to the help of his servant Israel for he has remembered his promise of mercy, the promise he made to our fathers, to Abraham and his children forever." Mary remained with her about three months and then returned to her home.

Reflection

Reflecting on Mother Mary, our salvation would not have been complete without her. If you want to love Jesus more ask Mother Mary for guidance. She endured a lot of suffering alongside Jesus; she was by His side at His first breath and His last.

Heavenly Mother of our Lord

Among the poor she dwelt

Immense love she would have felt

Love for all to have said “yes”

Mother Mary, we venerate

Always guiding us to your Son

Refuge for all who run to you

Your intercession, we place our trust

To commemorate the Blessed Virgin Mary being taken up to heaven, let us offer her a spiritual rose – let us pray the “Hail Mary”.