On this day, we remember Mary’s visit with her cousin Elizabeth. Elizabeth greets Mary with joy and amazement. She knows that her cousin Mary will be the mother of her Saviour. Elizabeth gives us the words of the Hail Mary, a prayer we all know and love. When we are filled with the Holy Spirit, we are led to love Mary as the mother of God and to be amazed by what God has done for her and through her. This is the gift of reverence, sometimes called piety, which means a deep respect for God and all that God has done.
May the Holy Spirit illumine all believers in the light of Hope.
We listen to God’s word:
In those days Mary set out and went with haste to a Judean town in the hill country, where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the child leaped in her womb.
And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit and exclaimed with a loud cry, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. And why has this happened to me, that the mother of my Lord comes to me?”
(pause for a moment of silent reflection)
Let us pray
+ In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
O Holy Spirit, by Your power, Mary became Jesus’ mother.
By Your grace, Mary was able to say ‘yes’ to God’s plan for her.
By that same love, you protect us and care for us.
And so, we ask for Your gift of reverence so that we may show
the fruit of gentleness that helps us to say ‘yes’ like Mary did.
And so together we pray:
Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful
and enkindle in them the fire of your love.
Send forth your Spirit and they shall be created,
and you shall renew the face of the earth.
+ In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
