“No truth is more pervasive in Scripture and Christian tradition than this one—that real freedom is found in obedience and servanthood. And yet no truth is more incongruent with modern culture. Here we stand before a stark either-or: the gospel message of true freedom versus the culture's ideal of self-creation, autonomy, and living "my way.”

If we wish to serve God and love our neighbor well, we must manifest our joy in the service we render to Him and them. Let us open wide our hearts. It is joy which invites us. Press forward and fear nothing. – St. Katharine Drexel: (1858 –1955) was an American heiress, philanthropist, religious sister, educator, and foundress.)

Gospel Text: (Luke 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.

God really wants us to be happy. He wants us to rejoice in Him, but on His conditions: in doing His Will and not the world’s or the evil spirit’s or as our natural inclinations urge. What a lie to think that joy is found in our self will. Hell was born of that myth. Not even speaking of Heaven, there is no other true joy on earth except in God, with God, and because God became man, like God. Mary had a clear idea of who she was, that she was the Mother of the Messiah, even as Elizabeth had told her she was the ‘mother of the Lord Who made her.’ Mary also knew by whose favor she was thus blessed. Compare the two phrases “lowliness of His handmaid” and “He that is mighty has done great things for me.” God did do great things for Mary because in her own estimation she was His lowly servant. This is all God asks us to tell Him: “You alone are mighty and I, except for You, am nothing; and the moment my conscience tells me You have spoken, I don't for a second wish to hesitate doing what you ask.” The only reason why Mary became, under God, the Mother of God is because she was so profoundly aware of being the servant of the Lord.