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.

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."

 

＊＊＊ 1st Reading ＊＊＊     

Zephaniah 3:14-18a (or Romans 12:9-16)

Cry out with joy, O daughter of Zion;

Rejoice, O people of Israel! Sing joyfully with all your heart, daughter of Jerusalem!

The Lord has lifted your sentence and has driven your enemies away.

The Lord, the King of Israel is with you; do not fear any misfortune.

 

On that day, they will say to Jerusalem: Do not be afraid nor let your hands tremble, for the Lord your God is within you,

the Lord, saving warrior. He will jump for joy on seeing you, for he has revived his love. For you he will cry out with joy,

as you do in the days of the feast. I will drive away the evil I warned you about, and you will no longer be shamed.

 

Isaiah 12:2-3, 4bcd, 5-6 Among you is the great and Holy One of Israel.

 

＊＊＊ Gospel ＊＊＊     

Luke 1:39-56

Mary then set out for a town in the hill country of Judah. She entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth.

When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the baby leapt in her womb. Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit, and,

giving a loud cry, said, "You are most blessed among women; and blessed is the fruit of your womb!

How is it that the mother of my Lord comes to me? The moment your greeting sounded in my ears,

the baby within me suddenly leapt for joy. Blessed are you, who believed that the Lord's word would come true!"

 

And Mary said, "My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord, my spirit exults in God, my savior!

He has looked upon his servant in her lowliness, and people, forever, will call me blessed.

The Mighty One has done great things for me, Holy is his Name! From age to age,

his mercy extends to those who live in his presence.

He has acted with power and done wonders, and scattered the proud with their plans.

 

He has put down the mighty from their thrones, and lifted up those who are downtrodden.

He has filled the hungry with good things, but has sent the rich away empty.

He held out his hand to Israel, his servant, for he remembered his mercy,

even as he promised to our fathers, to Abraham and his descendants forever."

Mary remained with Elizabeth about three months, and then returned home.

 

Gospel Reflection ：

"Christ dwells in each of us."

"Cry out with joy, O daughter of Zion!... your God is within you." The phrase "Daughter of Zion" meant the city of Jerusalem or the Jewish people.

It described the loving relationship between God and his people, who cherished them as a beloved daughter.

Zephaniah foretells a time of mercy when the people will rejoice that God is in their midst and

when God himself would jump for joy at the sight of his people being renewed by his love.

 

In the New Testament, Mary personifies the faithful attitude of those who await the Messiah with a pure and humble spirit,

and so she rejoices when he has arrived, jubilant that God is with her. Mary is therefore identified with the figure of Daughter of Zion.

"Cry out with joy, O daughter of Zion!... your God is within you." Rather than within the city, now God is in the womb of Mary.

The Word of God has taken flesh, and now Mary carries that living Word to her cousin Elizabeth. Christ dwells in each of us,

and so we, too, are called to carry him to others. Like Mary, we rejoice at his presence in our lives.