Dec 21 2024

First reading Song of Songs 2:8-14

See how my Beloved comes, leaping on the mountains

I hear my Beloved.

See how he comes

leaping on the mountains,

bounding over the hills.

My Beloved is like a gazelle,

like a young stag.

See where he stands

behind our wall.

He looks in at the window,

he peers through the lattice.

My Beloved lifts up his voice,

he says to me,

‘Come then, my love,

my lovely one, come.

For see, winter is past,

the rains are over and gone.

The flowers appear on the earth.

The season of glad songs has come,

the cooing of the turtledove

is heard in our land.

The fig tree is forming its first figs

and the blossoming vines give out their fragrance.

Come then, my love,

my lovely one, come.

My dove, hiding in the clefts of the rock,

in the coverts of the cliff,

show me your face,

let me hear your voice;

for your voice is sweet

and your face is beautiful.’

Responsorial Psalm 32(33):2-3,11-12,20-21

Exult, you just, in the Lord! Sing to him a new song.
Give thanks to the Lord on the harp;
with the ten-stringed lyre chant his praises.
Sing to him a new song;
pluck the strings skillfully, with shouts of gladness.
Exult, you just, in the Lord! Sing to him a new song.
But the plan of the Lord stands forever;
the design of his heart, through all generations.
Blessed the nation whose God is the Lord,
the people he has chosen for his own inheritance.
Exult, you just, in the Lord! Sing to him a new song.
Our soul waits for the Lord,
who is our help and our shield,
For in him our hearts rejoice;
in his holy name we trust.
Exult, you just, in the Lord! Sing to him a new song.

Gospel Luke 1:39-45

Why should I be honoured with a visit from the mother of my Lord?

Mary set out and went as quickly as she could to a town in the hill country of Judah. She went into Zechariah’s house and greeted Elizabeth. Now as soon as Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the child leapt in her womb and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. She gave a loud cry and said, ‘Of all women you are the most blessed, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. Why should I be honoured with a visit from the mother of my Lord? For the moment your greeting reached my ears, the child in my womb leapt for joy. Yes, blessed is she who believed that the promise made her by the Lord would be fulfilled.’

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Joy

“The Lord your God is in your midst, a victorious warrior. He will exult you with joy over you, he will renew you by his love…” (Alternative 1st Reading). God rejoices over us. This is the reality we truly need to believe in. Often, we do not believe that we bring joy to God. We tend to listen to our inner critic’s voices that tell us, “You are such a failure. You should have been there for your family…”, and we allow these negative voices to define us. Today, let us focus on God’s presence, who loves us unconditionally as His beloved children. In this love, we find comfort, knowing that we are more than our flaws and shortcomings. God delights in us, celebrating our unique selves and the potential we possess.

“… blessed is she who believed that the promise made her by the Lord would be fulfilled” (The gospel). Instead of shaming Mary for carrying a child out of wedlock, Elizabeth told her that she was blessed and happy because she believed in God’s word. Elizabeth celebrated Mary. Today, let us rejoice in those around us, for they too are loved and precious to God.

Reflective questions:
Do I believe that I am the joy of God? Why?

Acknowledgment: Reflections are based on “Prayer for Living: The Word of God for Daily Prayer Year C” by Sr Maria Jose FMVD.