Liturgical Colour: White. Year: B(II)
Readings at Mass
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EITHER: --------
First reading
Zephaniah 3:14-18a
The King of Israel, the Lord, is in your midst.
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.
OR: --------
First reading
Romans 12:9-16
Contribute to the needs of the holy ones, exercise hospitality.
Brothers and sisters: Let love be sincere; hate what is evil, hold on to what is good; love one another with mutual affection; anticipate one another in showing honor. Do not grow slack in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, endure in affliction, persevere in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the holy ones, exercise hospitality. Bless those who persecute you, bless and do not curse them. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Have the same regard for one another; do not be haughty but associate with the lowly; do not be wise in your own estimation.
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Responsorial Psalm
Isaiah 12:2-3, 4bcd, 5-6
Among you is the great and Holy One of Israel.
God indeed is my savior;
I am confident and unafraid.
My strength and my courage is the LORD,
and he has been my savior.
With joy you will draw water
at the fountain of salvation.
Among you is the great and Holy One of Israel.
Give thanks to the LORD, acclaim his name;
among the nations make known his deeds,
proclaim how exalted is his name.
Among you is the great and Holy One of Israel.
Sing praise to the LORD for his glorious achievement;
let this be known throughout all the earth.
Shout with exultation, O city of Zion,
for great in your midst
is the Holy One of Israel!
Among you is the great and Holy One of Israel.
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Gospel Acclamation
see Luke 1:45
Alleluia, alleluia.
Blessed are you, O Virgin Mary, who believed
that what was spoken to you by the Lord would be fulfilled.
Alleluia, alleluia.
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Gospel
Luke 1:39-56
And how does this happen to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?
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,
he 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.
Commentary:
Mary Visits Elizabeth: Mary visits her relative Elizabeth in Judea. Upon Mary's greeting, Elizabeth's baby leaps in her womb, and Elizabeth, filled with the Holy Spirit, proclaims Mary blessed for her faith and the child she bears.
Elizabeth's Blessing: Elizabeth praises Mary for believing in God's promises. Her words confirm the miraculous nature of Mary's pregnancy and highlight Mary's faith.
Mary's Song of Praise: Mary sings the Magnificat, glorifying God for His mindfulness of her humble state and predicting that all generations will call her blessed. She praises God's mighty deeds and His holy name.
God's Mercy and Justice: Mary highlights God's mercy to those who fear Him and His justice in overthrowing the proud and exalting the humble, reflecting God's preferential treatment of the humble and hungry over the rich and powerful.
Faithfulness to Israel: Mary concludes by acknowledging God's help to Israel and His fulfillment of promises to Abraham's descendants, underscoring His enduring faithfulness. She stays with Elizabeth for about three months before returning home.
Luke 1:39-56 highlights Mary's visit to Elizabeth, emphasizing the joy and confirmation of God's work. Mary's Magnificat praises God's mercy, justice, and faithfulness, reflecting her deep faith and recognition of God's covenant promises. The passage underscores the transformative impact of God's intervention in the lives of Mary and His people.
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