SATURDAY OF THE THIRD WEEK OF ADVENT, DECEMBER 21, 2024

MASS READINGS:

Gospel

Lk 1:39-45

Mary set out in those days

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."

REFLECTION

And how does this happen to me,

that the mother of my Lord should come to me?

How many times does Mother Mary come to us? How many times do we visit with her? I am drawn to people who can teach me, be with me inspite of myself, and who are kind and compassionate, yet, willing to tell me where I am wrong.

Throughout her life, Mary always submitted to the Will of God. Imagine having her show you the way to His heart. Surrender and submission can be hard to accomplish, but Mary lived in this world and had to deal with governments, people and situations that would have caused one to cry out for help. She was born without original sin and we should strive to have her as our role model. Would she gossip? Would she cheat? Would she forget to pray? Would she be angry at God?

Daily meditate on scripture. Offer all to God, be humble and don’t give yourself “airs” in what you have accomplished or have done.

Only God matters, we will be judged by our actions. Impress no one for your personal sake, but let our actions be done purely for the glory of God.

God bless you.