Pope Francis: “The joy of the Gospel fills the hearts and lives of all who encounter Jesus.

Those who accept this offer of salvation are set free from sin, sorrow, inner emptiness and loneliness.”

＊＊＊ 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!  Yahweh has lifted your sentence and has driven your enemies away. Yahweh, 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 Yahweh your God is within you, Yahweh, 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.

 

Is 12:2-3, 4cd, 5-6

You will draw water joyfully from the springs of salvation.

 

 ＊＊＊＊ Gospel ＊＊＊＊ 

Luke 1:39-56

Mary then set out for a town in the Hills 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 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 our fathers, Abraham and his descendants forever.”  Mary remained with Elizabeth about three months and then returned home. 

 

 Gospel Reflection：

Mary’s Dance

Why did Mary visit Elizabeth after receiving the annunciation? The popular and pietistic answer is, to help her cousin who had conceived in her old age. Really? If so, wasn’t cruel of Mary to abandon Elizabeth and return home when Elizabeth was in her ninth month and about to give birth?

So, why did she go? When one receives an exceedingly incomprehensible experience, it is only human to seek out the company of someone who has had a similar experience: to confide in, to open up one’s heart, to confirm, and when it all sinks in, to celebrate!

The moment Mary saw the six-month Mary saw the six-month pregnant cousin, she knew her own experience to be true! At that moment, she could only break into a song and dance (Magnificat) The Visitation is all about two hearts celebrating God’s amazing break-in to their lives! Let’s not reduce it to just a domestic help.

(Of course, being a nice girl, Mary would have helped her cousin while she was there. But that’s a pretty ordinary detail.)