Feast Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary

1 Thessalonians 4:16-17: The Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever.

Prayer …

Heavenly Father, we look forward to the day of your immense surprise. We join the angels in standing on tiptoe as we look to the clouds to see our Lord and your Son come back in glory and receive the welcome and respect he deserves. We praise you for that day now, even though we only see it by faithfully. Until we see you on that day, please know our heart's wish is to serve you, even when our weakness gets in our way of showing it as completely as we should. We offer you our sincere thanks and praise in Infant Jesus' name. Amen.

Today's Readings (May 31, 2012)

Feast of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary First Reading: Zep 3:14-18a Responsorial Psalm: Is 12:2-3, 4bcd, 5-6 Gospel: Luke 1:39-56 Colour: WHITE Lectionary: 572

Short Reflection on Today's Gospel (Luke 01:39-56)

What is the meaning of Mary's visit to her cousin Elizabeth before the birth of Jesus? When Elizabeth greeted Mary and renowned the Messiah in Mary's womb they were overflowing with the Holy Spirit and with a joyful expectation of the fulfillment of God's promise to give a Savior. What a wonderful wonder for God to fill not only Elizabeth's heart with his Holy Spirit but the child in her womb too. John the Baptist, even earlier than the birth of the Messiah, pointed to his coming and leapt for joy in the womb of his mother as the Holy Spirit exposed to him the presence of the King to be born. The Holy Spirit is God's gift to us to allow everyone to know and experience the indwelling presence of God and the power of his realm. The Holy Spirit is the way in which God reigns inside each of us. Do you live in the joy and knowledge of God's indwelling presence through you by his Holy Spirit?