Monday.blog
The Catholic Calendar for Monday, May 31, 2004
Feast of the Visitation of the Virgin Mary
Scripture from Monday’s Liturgy of the Word:
Zephaniah 3:14-18
Isaiah 12:2-6
Luke 1:39-56
A reflection on today’s Sacred Scripture:
We learn from scripture that Mary, while pregnant with Jesus, travelled a long distance to visit her aged cousin Elizabeth who was now pregnant with baby John, later known as “The Baptist.” At this meeting the Holy Spirit filled Elizabeth with such joy that she sang forth:
Blessed are you Mary, among women,
and blessed is the fruit of your womb.
But who am I that the mother of my Lord should come to me?
And Mary responded with her now-famous Magnificat:
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....
This miracle of God’s grace reminds us of the marvelous action of the Holy Spirit at work both then and now. We should know too, that Satan has been given free reign to test humanity to the limit of it’s endurance. So-called “Choice” (for abortion) used to be considered politically correct. But now, real choice--choosing life--is what today’s young people clearly know to be the honest and loving decision before the Lord.
Mary’s visit to her aged kinswoman was a sign of her respect for Elizabeth, one who had been so obedient to the Lord. Both of these women, so blessed by God with the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, are examples for us and signs of the Holy Spirit’s powerful presence in the world--to prepare and enliven all who seek to love God for eternity.
Don’t you just want to shout ‘Amen!’?
- Joachim
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