Memorial of the Most Holy Name of Mary
Gospel
Luke 1:39-47
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. When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the infant leaped in her womb, and 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. And how does this happen to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For at the moment the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the infant in my womb leaped for joy. Blessed are you who believed that what was spoken to you by the Lord would be fulfilled." And Mary said: "My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord; my spirit rejoices in God my savior."
Sermon
My brothers and sisters in Christ, today's Gospel passage presents us with a beautiful scene of encounter and joy. Mary, carrying the Son of God in her womb, travels to visit her cousin Elizabeth, who is also pregnant with John the Baptist. As soon as Mary greets Elizabeth, the infant in Elizabeth's womb leaps for joy, and Elizabeth is filled with the Holy Spirit.
This passage highlights the importance of encounter and community in our faith journey. Mary and Elizabeth, two women who are both experiencing miraculous pregnancies, come together in joy and support. They recognize the blessedness of each other's situations and rejoice in the Lord's work in their lives.
Elizabeth's words to Mary are particularly significant. She calls Mary "the mother of my Lord" and recognizes the blessedness of Mary's faith. Mary's response is also noteworthy. She proclaims the greatness of the Lord and rejoices in God her Savior.
This passage challenges us to reflect on our own encounters with others. Do we recognize the blessedness of those around us? Do we rejoice in the Lord's work in their lives? Do we support and encourage one another in our faith journeys?
May we be inspired by the example of Mary and Elizabeth to cultivate deeper encounters and community in our own lives. May we rejoice in the Lord's work in those around us and support one another in our faith journeys.
Prayer
Let us pray: + In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Almighty, merciful, and loving God, we come before you, inspired by the beautiful scene of encounter and joy between Mary and Elizabeth. We ask for the grace to recognize the blessedness of those around us and to rejoice in the Lord's work in their lives.
Help us to cultivate deeper encounters and community in our own lives, just as Mary and Elizabeth did. May we support and encourage one another in our faith journeys.
Fill us with the Holy Spirit, that we may be filled with joy and rejoice in the Lord's work in our lives.
May we be inspired by Elizabeth's words to Mary, recognizing the blessedness of those around us and the significance of their faith.
May we proclaim the greatness of the Lord and rejoice in God our Savior, just as Mary did.
We pray for our own encounters with others, that they may be filled with joy, support, and encouragement.
May we be a community of believers who rejoice in the Lord's work in each other's lives.
In Jesus' most holy name we pray, Amen.
Peace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you,
Rev. Fr. Jhimerson Maneclang,SCJ