Feast of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary

1st Reading – Zephaniah 3:14-18A

Shout for joy, O daughter Zion! Sing joyfully, people of Israel! Rejoice with all your heart, Jerusalem!

The LORD has ended your punishment; he has removed all your enemies. The LORD, the king of Israel, is with you; there is no reason now to be afraid.

The time is coming when they will say to Jerusalem, “Do not be afraid, city of Zion! Do not let your hands hang limp!

The LORD your God is with you; his power gives you victory. The LORD will take delight in you, and in his love he will give you new life. He will sing and be joyful over you,

A as joyful as people at a festival.”

 

Or Romans 12:9-16

Brothers and sisters: Love must be completely sincere. Hate what is evil, hold on to what is good.

Love one another warmly as Christian brothers and sisters, and be eager to show respect for one another.

Work hard and do not be lazy. Serve the Lord with a heart full of devotion.

Let your hope keep you joyful, be patient in your troubles, and pray at all times.

Share your belongings with your needy fellow-Christians, and open your homes to strangers.

Ask God to bless those who persecute you – yes, ask him to bless, not to curse.

Be happy with those who are happy, weep with those who weep.

Have the same concern for everyone. Do not be proud, but accept humble duties. Do not think of yourselves as wise.

 

Responsorial Psalm – Isaiah 12:2-3, 4BCD, 5-6

R.(6) Among you is the great and Holy One of Israel.

God indeed is my savior;
I am confident and unafraid.
My strength and my courage is the LORD,
and he has been my savior.
With joy you will draw water
at the fountain of salvation.

R. Among you is the great and Holy One of Israel.

Give thanks to the LORD, acclaim his name;
among the nations make known his deeds,
proclaim how exalted is his name.

R. Among you is the great and Holy One of Israel.

Sing praise to the LORD for his glorious achievement;
let this be known throughout all the earth.
Shout with exultation, O city of Zion,
for great in your midst
is the Holy One of Israel!

R. Among you is the great and Holy One of Israel.

 

Alleluia – SEE Luke 1:45

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Blessed are you, O Virgin Mary, who believed
that what was spoken to you by the Lord would be fulfilled.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

 

Gospel – Luke 1:39-56

Mary got ready and hurried off to a town in the hill country of Judea.

She went into Zechariah’s house and greeted Elizabeth.

When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby moved within her. Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit and said in a loud voice, “You are the most blessed of all women, and blessed is the child you will bear!

Why should this great thing happen to me, that my Lord’s mother comes to visit 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 remembered me, his lowly servant! From now on all people will call me blessed:
because of the great things the Mighty God has done for me, holy is his Name.
From one generation to another he shows mercy to those who honour him.
He has shown the strength of his arm, he 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 kept the promise he made to our ancestors, and has come to the help of his servant Israel.
He has remembered to show mercy to Abraham and to all his descendants for ever!”

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