SATURDAY OF THE TWENTY-THIRD WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME SEPTEMBER 12, 2020

MASS READINGS:

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke 1:39-47

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, "Most 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."

REFLECTION: "My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord; my spirit rejoices in God my savior."

Elizabeth's words to Mary and the joy of the baby in her womb were more than a simple family reunion. Something miraculous was happening, the baby in Elizabeth's womb leapt for joy and Mary proclaimed, "My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord; my spirit rejoices in God my savior."

Elizabeth's words were a comfort to Mary and a confirmation of her Fiat.

We honor Mary for her "yes" and for being the Mother of our Salvation.

The feast day of the Holy Name of the Blessed Virgin Mary began in 1513 in Spain. By 1672 it extended to the Kingdom of Naples. In 1683, John Sobieski, king of Poland, brought his army to the outskirts of Vienna to stop the advancing Muslim armies. Sobieski entrusted himself and his army to the Blessed Virgin Mary, before thoroughly defeating the Muslims. Pope Innocent XI extended this feast to the entire Church.

Mother Mary always points us to God, reminding us of His infinite love, goodness and patience. She helps us with our petitions, helps open our hearts, to the joy of Divine Grace.

We have the rosary as a powerful devotion to Mary. Many saints and ordinary people experienced great joy, peace, and encouragement from the profound encounter with Mary and Jesus in this prayer.

For those hungering to love Jesus and Mary more, pick up a rosary.

God Bless You