Prayer Request
The Visitation
Zephaniah 3: 14-18; Isaiah 12; Luke 1: 39-56
When many families and friends gather today for picnics, we can remember how important family was to Mary and Elizabeth. What rejoicing in the Spirit when the two newly pregnant women met. On the church doors at Nazareth are bronze scenes from Mary’s life. When she meets Elizabeth, they are dancing. And so the reading from Zephaniah, made famous by Carey Landry’s song: “The Father will dance!” fits this scene. “God will exult over you with loud singing”, and in the Greek, Elizabeth it is who gives a “loud shout” on seeing her cousin. “With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation,” is Isaiah’s contribution to today’s liturgy.
From what wells do you draw joy? When you sing loudly? What makes you break into spontaneous dancing (and if bedridden, when does your spirit dance)? Contemplate the love between these two women and pray for harmony in all families and religious communities.
Our spirits rejoice with you, Mary, so thankful for God’s constant mercy. Fill the hungry with good things and let us help you lift up the lowly.