Yesterday we celebrated the Ascension of the Lord into Heaven. In the day's readings we were commissioned to "go into the world and proclaim the Good News to all creation". Today, we celebrate the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, our parish patronal feast. The placement of these feasts together isn't something that happens every year; however, is it mere coincidence that it happened this year?
If we reflect on it a moment, these two events are tied together in a profound way. The Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary to her cousin Elizabeth is in fact a very concrete gesture of putting into action the spirit and the message of the Ascension, an event that at the time years in the future: to proclaim the Good News.
We are celebrating life in many ways in our feast today. It's a celebration of life among us, a celebration of love. Mary - literally - carries the Good News within her. As his yet-unborn cousin John the Baptist leaps for joy when he hears Mary's greeting to Elizabeth, his Spirit-filled mother cries, "Blessed are you among women and blessed is the fruit of your womb." In words that we repeat every time we pray the "Hail Mary", mother and child recognize that good news and celebrate life together in awe, reverence and joy. As any husband and wife knows, as any parent knows, the love of God isn't limited to words. It shines through actions and loving service, truly seeing Jesus present in others.
How are we doing with that? Are we celebrating life with others? Do our hearts leap with joy at someone's greeting? A challenge at times, to be sure.
As we prepare to celebrate our parish feast this weekend, let's once again look to Mary to be our model, our guide and inspiration to celebrate life. In humble service, as individual believers and as a community united in faith, we sing with Mary our own praises to God.
We certainly hope to see you at our Visitation Feast this Sunday following the 11AM Mass! For more information, to help us in planning and to consider bringing a family recipe dish, visit our parish website at https://visitationrcchurch.org/feast-of-the-visitation
If we reflect on it a moment, these two events are tied together in a profound way. The Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary to her cousin Elizabeth is in fact a very concrete gesture of putting into action the spirit and the message of the Ascension, an event that at the time years in the future: to proclaim the Good News.
We are celebrating life in many ways in our feast today. It's a celebration of life among us, a celebration of love. Mary - literally - carries the Good News within her. As his yet-unborn cousin John the Baptist leaps for joy when he hears Mary's greeting to Elizabeth, his Spirit-filled mother cries, "Blessed are you among women and blessed is the fruit of your womb." In words that we repeat every time we pray the "Hail Mary", mother and child recognize that good news and celebrate life together in awe, reverence and joy. As any husband and wife knows, as any parent knows, the love of God isn't limited to words. It shines through actions and loving service, truly seeing Jesus present in others.
How are we doing with that? Are we celebrating life with others? Do our hearts leap with joy at someone's greeting? A challenge at times, to be sure.
As we prepare to celebrate our parish feast this weekend, let's once again look to Mary to be our model, our guide and inspiration to celebrate life. In humble service, as individual believers and as a community united in faith, we sing with Mary our own praises to God.
We certainly hope to see you at our Visitation Feast this Sunday following the 11AM Mass! For more information, to help us in planning and to consider bringing a family recipe dish, visit our parish website at https://visitationrcchurch.org/feast-of-the-visitation
My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord; my spirit rejoices in God my savior. For he has looked upon his handmaid’s lowliness.
Our FORMED Recommendation for the Week
Audio (72 minutes) - The Virgin Mary Revealed through Scripture
https://formed.org/catholic-audio/5a1f0cf00923a71100a44696
Drawing on his roots as a Protestant minister, Dr. Scott Hahn responds to key misunderstandings about the Virgin Mary. This captivating presentation explains the biblical and historical basis for the Church's teachings that the Virgin Mary is the New Eve and the Queen of Heaven.
Audio (72 minutes) - The Virgin Mary Revealed through Scripture
https://formed.org/catholic-audio/5a1f0cf00923a71100a44696
Drawing on his roots as a Protestant minister, Dr. Scott Hahn responds to key misunderstandings about the Virgin Mary. This captivating presentation explains the biblical and historical basis for the Church's teachings that the Virgin Mary is the New Eve and the Queen of Heaven.
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