December 21, 2017
Today’s Gospel: Luke 1:39-45Mary 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."Apart from the amazing theological richness in today’s gospel, someone recently brought to my attention that all of these events took place while Mary was pregnant herself. As you know, the circumstances surrounding her own pregnancy were really complex! But here she was, ready to travel to the hill country to help out someone who was in need. She had a good excuse not to go and help out. Should could have easily have said, “Tell Elizabeth I can’t make it over to help. I really need to take care of myself. It would be better for my baby if I did not do all that work, not to mention all that traveling there and back. Tell her that I am praying for her.” But instead, she went out and served. This particular point should also help us to see that Mary continues help all her family members. Throughout history many people have turned to Mary for help. Let us not just see a powerful witness of what it means to be a follower of Christ but also turn to our Mother who works so hard to help her family in times of need.Ponder Together: We are called to love and to serve. Mary shows us that when we give our yes to God it is not a pass to ignore the help that we can and should give to others. What excuses are keeping you back from being there for someone, even in your own family? Let us, with the Lord before us, go to those who need help with a heart that is always ready to serve. Pray Together: “Most Holy Virgin Mary, Help of Christians, how sweet it is to come to your feet imploring your perpetual help. If earthly mothers cease not to remember their children, how can you, the most loving of all mothers forget me? Grant then to me, I implore you, your perpetual help in all my necessities, in every sorrow, and especially in all my temptations. I ask for your unceasing help for all who are now suffering. Help the weak, cure the sick, convert sinners. Grant through your intercessions many vocations to the religious life. Obtain for us, O Mary, Help of Christians, that having invoked you on earth we may love and eternally thank you in heaven. Amen” - St. John BoscoPlan Together: Think of a family member that is in need and go to them. Maybe it is as simple as helping with running an errand, cutting the grass, doing the laundry, patching a hole and repainting a wall, fixing the fence, or something else! Whatever it may be, reach out and see how you can help. If they say no, do not be dismayed.Call another family member or someone from your faith family to see how you can serve them, or do so without asking! Sometimes people are inclined to refuse help even though they really could use it, so do something that you know would be a blessing anyway.
