Lk 1: 46-56
And Mary said, “My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has looked with favor on the lowliness of his servant. Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed; for the Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is his name. His mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation.
He has shown strength with his arm; he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts. He has brought down the powerful from their thrones, and lifted up the lowly; he has filled the hungry with good things, and sent the rich away empty. He has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy, according to the promise he made to our ancestors, to Abraham and to his descendants forever.”
And Mary remained with her about three months and then returned to her home.
New Revised Standard Version, copyright 1989, by the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved. USCCB approved.
Unadulterated Joy
“My spirit rejoices in God.” In trying to think of what that joy looks like, I was reminded of a video I’ve passed along to my friends recently of a little girl playing an angel in her church nativity scene who is dancing to the music while everyone else stands still. Pure, unadulterated joy. In thinking about times in my life when I’ve experienced this kind of joy, I immediately thought of my husband’s grandmother (appropriately for today, she was also named Mary). While she had already been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s and she was starting to forget family members, we were fast friends from the moment we met. She always seemed to know who I was, and treated me like a cherished friend. We both very clearly saw God in each other. We rejoiced in each other. When you think of rejoicing, what relationships in your life come to mind?
—Kay Gregg is the Assistant Department Chair for Campus Ministry at Loyola Academy in Wilmette, Illinois.
Prayer
Star of the new evangelization,
help us to bear radiant witness to communion,
service, ardent and generous faith,
justice and love of the poor,
that the joy of the Gospel
may reach to the ends of the earth,
illuminating even the fringes of our world.
Mother of the living Gospel,
wellspring of happiness for God’s little ones,
pray for us.
Amen. Alleluia!
—Pope Francis’s Prayer for Joy of the Gospel