REFLECTIONS TODAY
Today is the Feast of the Visitation. From Nazareth, Mary visits her kinswoman Elizabeth in the hill country of Judea, in a place known today as the Ein Kerem or the “Spring of the Vineyard.” Today’s Gospel narrative appears to frame Mary’s song of the Magnificat. The song opens with the very important message of Mary’s recognition of God’s goodness, magnifying the Lord by her very life. The Greek word psuché, which is normally translated in English as “soul,” may also refer to the “self.” This proclamation springs from the fact that Mary has found favor with God. As a response, Mary puts everything in her life in the hands of God. When God is at the center of one’s life, it becomes like a fruitful vineyard because there is a spring that continually waters it.
Is God the center of our life? Are we living a gracious life? What are the concrete expressions of our proclamation of God’s greatness?
GOSPEL • LUKE 1:39-56
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 for he has looked with favor on his lowly servant. From this day all generations will call me blessed: the Almighty has done great things for me/ and holy is his Name.
He has mercy on those who fear him in every generation. He has shown the strength of his arm, and has scattered the proud in their conceit. He has cast down the mighty from their thrones, and has lifted up the lowly. He has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent away empty. He has come to the help of his servant Israel for he has remembered his promise of mercy, the promise he made to our fathers, to Abraham and his children forever.”
Mary remained with her about three months and then returned to her home.
SOURCE: “365 Days with the Lord 2021,” ST. PAULS, 7708 St. Paul Rd., SAV, Makati City (Phils.); Tel.: 632-895-9701; Fax 632-895-7328; E-mail: [email protected]; Website: http://www.stpauls.ph.