＊＊＊ 1st Reading ＊＊＊    

Zephaniah 3:14-18a  (or Romans 12:9-16)

 Cry out with joy, O daughter of Zion;

Rejoice, O people of Israel! Sing joyfully with all your heart, daughter of Jerusalem!  Yahweh has lifted your sentence and has driven your enemies away. Yahweh, the King of Israel is with you; do not fear any misfortune.

 On that day they will say to Jerusalem: Do not be afraid nor let your hands tremble,  for Yahweh your God is within you, Yahweh, saving warrior. He will jump for joy on seeing you, for he has revived his love. For you he will cry out with joy, as you do in the days of the Feast.   will drive away the evil I warned you about, and you will no longer be shamed.

 

Is 12:2-3, 4bcd, 5-6

Among you is the great and Holy One of Israel.

 

＊＊＊＊ Gospel ＊＊＊＊  

Luke 1:39-56

 Mary then set out for a town in the Hills of Judah.  She entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth.  When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leapt in her womb. Elizabeth was filled with holy spirit, and giving a loud cry, said, “You are most blessed among women and blessed is the fruit of your womb! How is it that the mother of my Lord comes to me?

The moment your greeting sounded in my ears, the baby within me suddenly leapt for joy. Blessed are you who be­lieved that the Lord’s word would come true!”  And Mary said:    “My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord,

 my spirit exults in God my savior! He has looked upon his servant in her lowliness, and people forever will call me blessed.

  The Mighty One has done great things for me,  Holy is his Name!  From age to age his mercy extends    to those who live in his presence.  He has acted with power and done wonders, and scattered the proud with their plans.

  He has put down the mighty from their thrones  and lifted up those who are downtrodden.

  He has filled the hungry with good things but has sent the rich away empty. He held out his hand to Israel, his servant, for he remembered his mercy, even as he promised our fathers,  Abraham and his descendants forever.”

 Mary remained with Elizabeth about three months and then returned home.

 

 Gospel Reflection：

Humility is the acceptance of who you are and graciously pointing to God as the source of all that is good in us. This is precisely why the Blessed Virgin Mary is an example of humility. She did not hesitate to embrace her being blessed because she knew that the baby in her womb is from God, in fact the Son of God.

She was blessed among women not because of her own personal endowment but because of what God gave her. A gift she freely embraced. That is why her song of thanksgiving and praise to God who was gracious to her was both humble and daring. All people forever will call her blessed because God has done great things for her.