Virtues of Mary  is not exalted because of independent merit,

but because she serves as the ultimate exemplar of faith through her

extraordinary openness and complete submission to God's divine plan.

 

＊＊＊ 1st Reading ＊＊＊    

Galatians 3:22-29

But the Scriptures

Have declared that we are all prisoners of sin.

So, the only way to receive God's promise is to believe in Jesus Christ.

Before the time of faith had come, the law confined us, and kept us in custody,

until the time in which faith would show up. The law, then, was serving as a slave,

to look after us until Christ came, so that we might be justified by faith.

With the coming of faith, we are no longer submitted to this guidance.

 

Now, in Christ Jesus, all of you are sons and daughters of God, through faith.

All of you, who were given to Christ through Baptism, have put on Christ.

Here, there is no longer any difference between Jew or Greek, or between slave or freed,

or between man and woman: but all of you are one, in Christ Jesus.

And because you belong to Christ, you are of Abraham's race and you are to inherit God's promise.

 

Ps 105:2-3, 4-5, 6-7

The Lord remembers his covenant forever.

 

＊＊＊ Gospel ＊＊＊      

Luke 11:27-28

As Jesus was speaking, a woman spoke from the crowd and said to him,

"Blessed is the one who gave you birth and nursed you!" Jesus replied,

"Truly blessed are those who hear the word of God, and keep it as well."

 

Gospel Reflection ：

Unity rather than division.

Paul reminds the people of Galatia, who are facing confusion brought

by some who question Paul's legitimacy as an apostle,

of that one faith in Christ that is supposed to cause unity rather than division.

Our faith in Jesus, Paul reminds us, urges us to bring unity rather than division.

 

It calls us to build bridges rather than walls. It might be good to ask ourselves,

"Does my faith in Jesus bring me closer to others or does it seclude me from them?

In what way can my faith in Jesus bring me closer to others

or be more welcoming to those who may not share my opinions or those who are hard to deal with?