When Elizabeth heard Mary?s greeting, the baby leapt in her womb. ? Luke 1:41

Fifteen years ago I met this guy who made such an impact upon me. I only met him once but I never forgot him because of his great attitude. I never met anyone who had such a positive disposition. We met several friends of his that night and I was just so impressed that he always had a positive word to say about each person. I don?t remember hearing him utter any negative statement about anything or anyone. It was so refreshing just listening to him talk so kindly of different people, whether they were his friends or mere acquaintances.
      I have another friend who was the very opposite of this guy. Every time this friend would open his mouth, you can bet that it?s some demeaning statement about somebody or something. Because of his negative disposition, people didn?t want to be near him. They usually avoided his company. It?s no fun being around someone who always makes your sunny day seem cloudy and gloomy.
      We must always remember that our attitude can affect other people. It can either add value to others, if we have a positive attitude, or take away from them and also from us, if we have negative disposition. We must always look for the good side in all things if we are to reflect Jesus in our life. Rowena L.

REFLECTION:
Do people find your presence refreshing or annoying?

Lord, let me always add value to every person I meet.

G O S P E L

Luke 1:39-45

Mary seeks to be of service to her elderly cousin who is pregnant as well. She does not allow her own situation to become the sole focus of her life and remembers her duty as a relative to help out where possible. This should serve as a good example to us of how to grow in selflessness and service. Let us be on the lookout for opportunities to serve not in order to be noticed by others, but in order to love our neighbor in the same way that God has first loved us.

39 During those days Mary set out and traveled to the hill country in haste to a town of Judah, 40 where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. 41 When Elizabeth heard Mary?s greeting, the infant leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth, filled with the Holy Spirit, 42 cried out in a loud voice and said, ?Most blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. 43 And how does this happen to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? 44 For at the moment the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the infant in my womb leaped for joy. 45 Blessed are you who believed that what was spoken to you by the Lord would be fulfilled.?

my reflections
think: Let us be on the lookout for opportunities to serve not in order to be noticed by others, but in order to love our neighbor in the same way that God has first loved us.

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God?s special verse/thought for me today________________

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T O D A Y ? S BLESSING LIST

Thank You Lord for: ____________________________________

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READ THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR Hebrews 11-13

First there were the men; now the ladies. First we heard the stories of the two husbands ? Joseph and Zechariah; today we listen to Mary and Elizabeth, their wives. Joseph and Zechariah were visited by the angel of the Lord; Joseph in a dream while Zechariah in the Holy of Holies. This time, after the angel?s visit to her, Mary went in haste to visit her cousin, Elizabeth. Mary was like Elizabeth?s angel.
      Three reasons why Mary was like Elizabeth?s angel.
      God sends us angels to help us. Mary went to Elizabeth to help her. As the Gospel says, she even went in haste to serve her cousin until her cousin gave birth to John the Baptist. Mary was like Elizabeth?s angel. Angels are God?s messengers. Mary went to Elizabeth to share with her the news about the Holy Baby she also was carrying in her womb. As the Gospel today says that Mary did not even have to utter a single word to make Elizabeth ? and her son still in the womb ? rejoice. Mary?s mere visit was a source of great joy. Mary?s visit was like a visit of an angel to Elizabeth and, of course, to her son, John, as well who even in the womb leapt for joy.
      Angels are servants of God. Mary went to Elizabeth not only to serve her and share with her the news of her own child-bearing. She visited her cousin to bear witness to God?s fidelity to His promise. ?Yes, blessed is she who believed that the promise of the Lord to her would be fulfilled,? Elizabeth easily recognized Mary?s witnessing. Mary reminded Elizabeth about God?s faithfulness to His people and to those who obey Him. As God?s witness to Elizabeth, Mary was a servant of God. Angels are like that too.
      When we go to help, to share, and to give witness to God, we, too, are like angels. Many times in a single day, we are visited by angels disguised as the persons we meet. Many times in a single day, we can choose to be angels too.
      Are you an angel today? Fr. Bobby T.

REFLECTION QUESTION:
Do I recognize my angels today? Do I choose to be an angel today?

Dear Lord, may our encounter with anyone be a blessing not only for us but for them as well. May we always help, share and give witness to You as we make our daily rounds in life. Make every visit we make You visit. And when we leave, please stay with those we have visited. Amen.

St. Peter Canisius, confessor, doctor of the church, pray for us.