My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord

 The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Year B - 15th August 2021

Gospel Luke 1: 39–56

Mary set out and went as quickly as she could to a town in the hill country of Judah. She went into Zechariah’s house and greeted Elizabeth. Now as soon as Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the child leapt in her womb and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. She gave a loud cry and said, ‘Of all women you are the most blessed, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. Why should I be honoured with a visit from the mother of my Lord? For the moment your greeting reached my ears, the child in my womb leaped for joy. Yes, blessed is she who believed that the promise made her by the Lord would be fulfilled.’ And Mary said:

My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord

and my spirit exults in God my saviour;

because he has looked upon his lowly handmaid.

Yes, from this day forward all generations will call me blessed,

for the Almighty has done great things for me.

Holy is his name,

and his mercy reaches from age to age for those who fear him.

He has shown the power of his arm, he has routed the proud of heart.

He has pulled down the mighty from their thrones and exalted the lowly. The hungry he has filled with good things, the rich sent empty away.

He has come to the help of Israel his servant, mindful of his mercy – according to the promise he made to our ancestors –

of his mercy to Abraham and to his descendants for ever.’

Mary stayed with Elizabeth about three months and then went back home.

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Gospel Reflection from St Beuno's Outreach

I settle myself, and prayerfully read this very familiar Gospel passage. Perhaps in my imagination I watch as Mary travels to see Elizabeth.

How does she seem? Strong, excited, confident, scared ...?

How do they celebrate as they meet? By embracing, laughing, dancing ...? Maybe I notice Elizabeth’s expression as her son, John, jumps in her womb. As I listen, I hear her burst into praise, ‘Of all women you are the most blessed’... and then Mary’s response in her own hymn of praise, Magnificat. Again I stay with any phrase or word that speaks to me.

As I look back over my own history, I recall God’s goodness to me: his protective presence, his faithfulness in my life. How have I celebrated this? Perhaps I want to sing my own praises for what God has done for me and the people around me.

I talk from my heart to Jesus, or perhaps to Mary herself, about what I can do

to help those in need: the poor, the hungry, the weak ...

In time, I bring my prayer to an end, perhaps saying Hail Mary ...