Daily Scripture Reflection & Prayer: August 15, 2023

Date in the Ordine: Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Scripture Text: LUKE 1:39-56

Mary set out 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, “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.”

And Mary said: “My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord; my spirit rejoices in God my Savior for he has looked with favor on his lowly servant. From this day all generations will call me blessed: the Almighty has done great things for me and holy is his Name. He has mercy on those who fear him in every generation. He has shown the strength of his arm, and has scattered the proud in their conceit. He has cast down the mighty from their thrones, and has lifted up the lowly. He has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent away empty. He has come to the help of his servant Israel for he has remembered his promise of mercy, the promise he made to our fathers, to Abraham and his children forever.”

Mary remained with her about three months and then returned to her home.

Breaking the text open – background and summary:

The gospel text for today presents Luke’s account of Mary’s visit to Elizabeth, her cousin, whom she’d learned was expecting from the Angel Gabriel at the time of the Annunciation.

Note that when Mary enters the home of Elizabeth, both Elizabeth and the child in her womb (John the Baptist) recognized that Mary was carrying our Lord, Son of God, Jesus. Even as a child in the womb, His presence was felt by those of faith and by the innocent.

We owe a debt of gratitude to Elizabeth for the words of our beloved “Hail Mary.”

Mary responds to Elizabeth’s greeting with the familiar canticle, the Magnificat. Note Mary’s praise for the LORD and her joy at the LORD’s blessings for her, a lowly servant. Mary speaks of the LORD’s mercy and loving kindness, especially for the lowly and those in need. And she ends by stressing the trustworthiness of the LORD who keeps His promises.

How does this pertain to us today?

Today’s gospel is more than an historical account of a visit. It points to the power of Christ’s presence. It also reveals to us how the LORD works through us if we are people of faith, hope, and love. We are called to be Christ bearers.

Meditating on the text with personal questions:

Am I open to the presence of Christ in my midst? Do I cooperate with the power of Christ at work in my life and world? Do I acknowledge the LORD’s love for me in prayers of praise and thanksgiving? Am I willing to be a bearer of Christ in the world?

Praying:

LORD, Almighty Father, You sent your only begotten Son to dwell among us and to redeem us through his selfless sacrifice upon a cross, reconciling us with You and defeating sin and death so that we might have life in abundance. You chose a lowly virgin to be the mother of your beloved Son, showing us that it is not wealth and fame but faith and a willing spirit that You seek. Send the Spirit to guide us on our journeys of faith, hope and love so that we might be a source of Christ’s presence to others in this world. Grant that we, his disciples and your daughters and son, may be Christ bearers every day as we make our way home to You. Amen.