Reading 1
Sg 2:8-14 or Zep 3:14-18a
Hark! my lover–here he comes
springing across the mountains,
leaping across the hills.
My lover is like a gazelle
or a young stag.
Here he stands behind our wall,
gazing through the windows,
peering through the lattices.
My lover speaks; he says to me,
“Arise, my beloved, my dove, my beautiful one,
and come!
“For see, the winter is past,
the rains are over and gone.
The flowers appear on the earth,
the time of pruning the vines has come,
and the song of the dove is heard in our land.
The fig tree puts forth its figs,
and the vines, in bloom, give forth fragrance.
Arise, my beloved, my beautiful one,
and come!
“O my dove in the clefts of the rock,
in the secret recesses of the cliff,
Let me see you,
let me hear your voice,
For your voice is sweet,
and you are lovely.”
or
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.
Gospel
Lk 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.”
Meditation: Luke 1:39-45
Blessed are you among women! (Luke 1:42)
Blessed are you, Mary, who believed that God is trustworthy. You knew that God is faithful. You believed in the One whose goodness and mercy never fail. You embraced his love for us, which is overflowing in kindness and sympathy and the desire to help us. So you waited for the Father, believing that all his plans for your life could be trusted. And because you believed so fully, you are blessed among all women.
Blessed are you, Mary, who believed that God’s word is true and his promises are certain. You believed that God’s intentions are unshakable, continuing forever. You trusted that he knows our hearts, desiring only that we look to him and put our hope in his unfailing love. This is what it means to believe that his word is true: to rest securely in his love—as you did, Mary. And because you trusted so completely, you are blessed among all women.
Blessed are you, Mary, who believed that God is bigger than every fear and concern. You believed that he is the light that drives away the darkness where fear dwells. He is the high tower from which we can look down, safe from isolation, anxiety, and apprehension. Mary, you believed that God can do so much more than we can imagine, so much more than we can even think to ask! Confident in his power and might, and in the abundance of his love, you said yes to him. And because you surrendered so humbly, you are blessed among all women.
Blessed are you, Mary, who believed what was spoken to you by the Lord. You staked your life on the one true God, on his promises, on his power to accomplish what he plans, and on his love and protection. You let him shine his light in your heart and believed with your actions, welcoming the Holy Spirit and bearing the beloved Son of God. And because you opened your heart—and your body—to the Lord so trustingly, you are blessed among all women.
“Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for me! Help me to trust that God is faithful, dependable, and loving. Teach me to hold firmly to the truth of his words, rest securely in his love, and stake my life on his power and goodness.”
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