“Mary means enlightener, because she brought forth the Light of the world.”

“We never give more honor to Jesus than when we honor his Mother, and we honor her simply and solely to honor him all the more perfectly. We go to her only as a way leading to the goal we seek – Jesus, her Son.” -Saint Louis Marie de Montfort: (1673 – 1716: was a French Roman Catholic priest and Confessor)

Gospel Text: (LK 1:46-56)

Mary said:

“My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord;

my spirit rejoices in God my savior.

for he has looked upon 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 remembered his promise of mercy,

the promise he made to our fathers,

to Abraham and his children for ever.”

Mary remained with Elizabeth about three months

and then returned to her home.

Would you like your whole being to proclaim the greatness of the Lord? Do you want your spirit to find joy in God your savior? Do you want to leave such a loving mark on this world that later generations will call you blessed? Would you like to know God as a mighty one who does great things for you?

Mary's Magnificat can be our words, too, if we let go of our own plans and agendas, or when we move away from relationships or jobs that work against our friendship with God, or if we break away from the addictions that have become our god, or if we give up TV shows that glorify immorality, or if we put aside worldly novels to read spiritual books, or if we donate more of our money to the Church and to the poor and to faith-based ministries.

The more effort it requires to love sacrificially, the more you have entered into the faith life that releases the love of Jesus, who blesses the world through you.