＊＊＊ 1st Reading ＊＊＊ 

1 Samuel 1:24-28

When the child was weaned,

Hannah took him with her along with a three-year-old bull, a measure of flour and a flask of wine, and she brought him to Yahweh’s house at Shiloh. The child was still young. After they had slain the bull, they brought the child to Eli.

Hannah exclaimed: “Oh, my lord, look! I am the woman who was standing here in your presence, praying to Yahweh. I asked for this child and Yahweh granted me the favor I begged of him. I think Yahweh is now asking for this child. As long as he lives, he belongs to Yahweh.”

   

1 Samuel 2:1, 4-5, 6-7, 8abcd

My heart exults in the Lord, my Savior.

 

＊＊＊＊ Gospel ＊＊＊＊  

Luke 1:46-56

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：

Mary's song is an appropriate response to her privileged status. She is blessed precisely not according to her own merits but because God is gracious to her. God's greatest grace is now within her.

There can be no denying her greatness derived by association with the Son she carries. And this is how the truly humble behave. They do not deprecate what they have for fear of being accused as proud and arrogant. Rather, they graciously acknowledge it.

But in acknowledging, they give all the praise to the author of their gifts. "The Mighty One has done great things for me, Holy is his Name!" And so the next time we are caught in a quandary, not knowing how to respond to praise, let the Blessed Virgin guide us.

Acknowledge graciously the praise, but redirect the honor and glory to God who is the source of all good things we possess.

 

Mary’s Fiat: The Annunciation
Two thousand years after Mary said yes to God in Nazareth,

her example still offers us strength to follow God’s will in our own lives.