Handmaid of the Lord

Gospel

Luke 1:39-56

Mary set out and went as quickly as she could to a town in the hill country of Judah. She went into Zechariah’s house and greeted Elizabeth. Now as soon as Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the child leapt in her womb and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. She gave a loud cry and said, ‘Of all women you are the most blessed, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. Why should I be honoured with a visit from the mother of my Lord? For the moment your greeting reached my ears, the child in my womb leapt for joy. Yes, blessed is she who believed that the promise made her by the Lord would be fulfilled.’

And Mary said:

‘My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord

and my spirit exults in God my saviour;

because he has looked upon his lowly handmaid.

Yes, from this day forward all generations will call me blessed,

for the Almighty has done great things for me.

Holy is his name,

and his mercy reaches from age to age for those who fear him.

He has shown the power of his arm,

he has routed the proud of heart.

He has pulled down princes from their thrones and exalted the lowly.

The hungry he has filled with good things, the rich sent empty away.

He has come to the help of Israel his servant, mindful of his mercy

– according to the promise he made to our ancestors –

of his mercy to Abraham and to his descendants for ever.’

Mary stayed with Elizabeth about three months and then went back home.

Reflection
There are 3 lessons we can from this reading.

A. God is present here and now inside us and around us. Sad to say many do not feel the presence of God because they are blinded by chasing the way of the world as well as beset by problems such as sickness, relationship and financial.

B. Our motherr Mary is an example that God chose ordinary people like you and me to be his witness. We are all called to be handmaid and yet many are not willing. Just look at the church. How many are willing to serve at the various ministries in church?

C. Our God is loving God. He is merciful to the downtrodden,the have not and the insignicant. I believe God want us to be kind and loving and be merciful to those around us.
Can we feel the presence of God in our lives? Are we ready to be witness of Christ? Are we merciful and kind to the downtrodden and the lowly?

Let us pray.
Oh God we pray for your continuos presence in our daily lives. Give us the strength to be your witness everyday through our words and deeds. Help us always to be kind and merciful.
We make this prayer through Christ our lord.
Amen

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