Mary set out and traveled... In haste

**media[15844]**REFELCTIONS TODAYAmong the highlights of the celebration of the World Youth Day 2023 was the visit of Pope Francis to the Shrine of Our Lady of Fatima on Aug. 5. Using the liturgical text of Luke 1:39-56, he zoomed in on the figure of Mary as the outstanding model of missionary spirit: “As soon as [Mary] heard that her elderly relative— although already advanced in years—was pregnant, Mary ran out. That is a somewhat free translation, for the Gospel says she ‘went with haste’; yet we could say she ran out, ran eagerly to help, to be present.” The readiness of Mary to be of service is her expression of love. In the mystery of our Lady’s visitation to Elizabeth, we do not only see the reunion of two pregnant women touched by God’s grace. We also see the outpouring of love of our Lady to her elderly relative. In fact, the Gospel says, “Mary remained with her about three months and then returned to her home” (v 56). As we close the month of Mary within this Easter season, let us invoke her intercession to help us welcome the Holy Spirit in our lives. We pray that we may be open to the Spirit who assists us to grow in the missionary spirit which leads us to get out of ourselves and reach out to others.First ReadingZeph 3:14-18a [or Rom 12:9-16] Shout for joy, O daughter Zion! Sing joyfully, O Israel! Be glad and exult with all your heart, O daughter Jerusalem! The Lord has removed the judgment against you, he has turned away your enemies; the King of Israel, the Lord, is in your midst, you have no further misfortune to fear.On that day, it shall be said to Jerusalem: Fear not, O Zion, be not discouraged! The Lord, your God, is in your midst, a mighty savior; he will rejoice over you with gladness, and renew you in his love, He will sing joyfully because of you, as one sings at festivals. Responsorial Psalm Is 12 “Among you is the great and Holy One of Israel.” 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 2025,” St. Paul’s, 7708 St. Paul Rd., SAV, Makati City (Phils.); Tel.: 632-895-9701; E-mail: publishing@stpauls.ph; Website: http://www.stpauls.ph.