"Why should I be honored with a visit from the mother of my Lord?"
Gospel Luke 1:39-45
Mary set out in those days
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."
Joyful Encounter
By Grace B. Madriñan
It is always a challenge for me to go on long vacations. Not just because I am a worrier but I also can’t help but feel compassion for the people who will have to shoulder my workload when I am gone. Modesty aside, my clients tend to seek me and look for me when I am not around. And whenever I am back, they often welcome me back joyfully.
In today’s Gospel, it said, “When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the infant leaped in her womb and exclaimed “For at the moment the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the infant in my womb leaped for joy” (Luke 1:41,44)”
Just an honest question, do people rejoice when they see you? Or do they turn away or hide?
Do you exude hope to your co-workers, friends and family? Or are you a walking doom?
Our Mother, Mary, is a perfect bearer of hope and peace. The Bible was only able to record Mary’s visitation as the perfect image of joyful encounter. But I believe there are a lot of instances where everyone seeks her out and even invites her on special occasions (take the wedding at Canaan). I believe the apostles and Jesus’ followers always rejoice when they have Mother Mary with them. I can just imagine how Mary has been busy tending and caring for all.
On this Jubilee Year, may we be like Mary who radiates hope wherever she goes. May we be the beacon who inspires faith and trust in the Lord.
Prayer
Father God, there is already a lot of negativity that looms over us. May we not add to the gloom, instead we pray that we may be an image of Your peace and love to others. Amen.
Gift for Jesus
This Christmas, let us go back to the basics. Gift your friends and family with a greeting card and write your message of appreciation and affirmation.
Grace B. Madriñan is a certified business analyst professional working for an IT consulting company. During free time, she likes to paint and watch medical drama on Netflix.
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