＊＊＊1st Reading＊＊＊

Revelation 11: 19a; 12: 1-6a, 10ab

But no, Christ has been raised from the  dead, and he comes before all those who have fallen asleep.

A human being brought death; a human being also brings resurrection of the dead. For, as in’ Adam all die, so, in , Christ, all will be made alive. However, each one in his own time: Christ, then Christ’s people, when he comes.

Then, the end will come, when Christ delivers the kingdom to God the Father, after having destroyed every rule, authority and power. For he must reign and put all enemies under his feet. The last enemy to be destroyed will be death. As Scripture says: God has subjected everything under his feet.

When we say that everything is put under is feet, we exclude, of course, the Father, who subjects everything to him.

  

＊＊＊＊ 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!

Form 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.

 

Reflection gospel：

“YOU ARE MOST BLESSED AMONG WOMEN.”

In most of my adult life, I have not paid much attention to Mary and her important role in the history of salvation. However, it dawned on me that without her “yes” to the announcement of the angel Gabriel, God’s saving plan would have been frustrated. What made her “most blessed among women”? what is truly special about her?

There reasons come to mind why Elizabeth rightly declared her as the most blessed among women and why people of every generation would call her blessed: first, God himself chose her; second, she said “yes” to the announcement of the angel Gabriel. The third, I want to give emphasis: she carried the Son of God in her womb for nine months; she brought Jesus to human life; she nursed him in infancy; she played with him when he was a boy; she cared for him as he grows; she was a witness as to how he conducted his ministry; and she was there when he suffered and died on the cross.

Imagine the interaction between the mother and the Son of God! Imagine also the intimacy between them! This is why I believe that the risen Christ appeared to Mary before he ascended back to the Father.