Introductory Prayer: Lord, enlighten the eyes of my heart to the beauty of Mary's self giving to others. Help me to follow Mary's example, putting into practice all I have seen and heard knowing that it is in giving that I receive, in losing my life for others I gain life not for temporal pleasures but for eternal life.

 

Petition: Lord help me to look out on the horizon of life, lived to the full through sacrifice and self giving for your glory.

 

Gospel: Lk 1:39-45

 

In those days Mary arose and went in haste to the hill country, to a city of Judah, and she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. And when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit and she exclaimed with a loud cry, "Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! And why is this granted me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For behold, when the voice of your greeting came to my ears, the babe in my womb leaped for joy. And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her from the Lord".

 

1. Mary Arose and Went In Haste to the Hill Country.

 

It is easy to respond to a family member's needs when they are in a jam. But what about those who we are not familiar with or who are not in the select group of our friends? We see the need in this gospel to not let anything stop us from helping a neighbor, a stranger, or workmate, to look on them with eyes of faith and compassion as God does. To feel the urgent calling if you do not do it then who will?

  

2. Blessed Are You Among Women, and Blessed Is the Fruit of Your Womb! And Why Is this Granted Me that the Mother of My Lord Should Come to Me?

 

Just imagine being in the presence of the Mother of God, Mary. What an incredible and moving scene when we contemplate being there in her presence! You probably have had the experience of being in the presence of someone you admire. There is something that rubs off on you, especially if it is someone who is charity and kindness itself. There are so many examples that come to mind. The Holy Father and Mother Teresa are two of them. We can also ask God for the graces we need to emulate their way of life through a deeper prayer life that moves us to action. So, we need to constantly put ourselves in environments that will help us grow in virtue and allow us to practice charity the way Jesus and Mary did.

 

3. Blessed Is She Who Believed that There Would Be a Fulfillment of What Was Spoken to Her from the Lord.

 

We can ask Mary to gain for us the graces to be firm believers in God's will for our lives. Contrary to the modern mindset that faith has to be proven through science and experiment, it is really natural to believe. It is built into the human heart. Man is religious by nature. In our daily experiences of life we are enriched by men and women who have high ideals and set high standards for themselves and on the other hand repulsed by people who have bad attitudes who infect others through negative comments. Let us ask for the graces to be real believers and men and women who proclaim the gospel from the rooftops, overflowing with charity.

  

Conversation with Christ: Jesus and Mary you know in my heart I desire to do well and avoid evil. Help me to not just talk the talk but look for every opportunity throughout the day to be a beacon of light for others so they can walk closer to you!

  

Questionnaire:  This optional questionnaire is intended to help you to evaluate your life in light of the inspirations God just gave you in these moments you spent with him in prayer.

  

1. Looking back over this gospel and the lights the Holy Spirit is inspiring me with, what are the dark areas that I must work on, or what virtues need to be toned up in order to be the person God is calling me to be?

 

2. Looking at Mary's readiness to serve, how do I respond to others in need? In which moments do I find it hard to look out for those around me and their needs the moments when I am indifferent, and ready to ignore them?

 

3. What repercussions do the demands of faith have in my life? What am I mostly concerned about throughout the day?