Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe
This Week’s Intention: That all people will embrace the story of the Nativity as a time to renew their awareness of the needs of children throughout the world.
Today’s Gospel | Luke 1:39-47
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.”
A Reflection for the 2nd Friday of Advent
The account of Mary’s visit to Elizabeth is one of the happiest narratives in Scripture. There are few stories that better capture the pure excitement of bringing good news and of receiving good news. These two women, related as family and now united in joy, bear witness to the power of being made one in God’s saving love. God’s touch on our hearts can reach through to those of others if we will choose to make the journey to them. Whether the distance is one of land, of time, or of will, to approach one another as to approach the manger of the Christ Child is to enter into the mystery of the salvation that was God’s gift that sacred light. The time of Advent is a time for visitation, for sharing our presence and our time with these we love, with those who love us, and especially with those we are called to learn to love.
Prayer for the Day
Eternal Father, as we prepare during this Advent to celebrate the gift of our Lord, we remember how your gift came to us. Through the faith and selflessness of our Blessed Mother, you gave us your Son, who teaches us how to live lives of faith, mercy, and justice, with peace in our hearts and with goodwill to all. Because of Mary’s gift of herself, you were able to give yourself to our world. Help us to hold in ourselves those same virtues of trust in you and openness to your will. We ask this of you who lives and reigns with your Son and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.
St. John Baptist de La Salle, pray for us.
Live Jesus in our hearts forever.