Praising God as did Mary Immaculate – May 31 – Homily – Fr John Lawrence

 

Fr John Lawrence gives the homily at Bloomington, IN, on May 31, 2023, on how the Visitation and Mary's proclamation of the greatness of God in her "Magnificat" points to her Immaculate Conception and the need to proclaim God's greatness throughout the world.

On the Feast of the Visitation, we recognize Our Lady as the conduit of grace. Elizabeth's miraculous conception of John the Baptist and Mary's divine conception of the Messiah, announced by Archangel Gabriel, set the stage for this event (Luke 1 - https://bible.usccb.org/bible/luke/1 ). Mary, having believed Gabriel's message, visits her cousin to offer help and deliver God's grace, signifying Mary as the daughter of Zion (Isaiah 12 - https://bible.usccb.org/bible/isaiah/12 ).

Mary's greeting miraculously cleanses John of original sin, implying the transformative power of the Hail Mary prayer. We can take this as encouragement to recite it attentively, expecting grace in return.

The passage of Isaiah implies God's presence in Zion and the inexplicable presence of the infinite Lord within Mary, a finite being. This marvel is ascribed to God's power, encapsulated in Mary's reply, 'The Almighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name.' (Luke 1:49 - https://bible.usccb.org/bible/luke/1?49 ).

Isaiah's prophecy of drawing water from the fountain of salvation, not a physical water, but a spiritual benefit, is reiterated (Isaiah 12:3 - https://bible.usccb.org/bible/isaiah/12?3 ). This can be associated with Christ's declaration, 'Let anyone who thirsts come to me and drink.' (John 7:37 - https://bible.usccb.org/bible/john/7?37 ), indicating the spiritual water flowing from Christ after his sacrifice.

As we transition from May to the month of the Sacred Heart, Mary leads us to Jesus and the water of the Holy Spirit. We're urged to proclaim Jesus' name among nations and recognize his deeds (Isaiah 12:4 - https://bible.usccb.org/bible/isaiah/12?4 ), echoing Mary's canticle of praise. The scripture concludes with Mary's profound rejoicing in the Lord (Luke 1:46 - https://bible.usccb.org/bible/luke/1?46 ). Hence, we join Mary in praising God.

00:00 – Introduction
00:14 – Feast of the Visitation - Gabriel's Announcement
00:56 – Mary's Visit to Elizabeth
02:45 – The Passage of Isaiah: God in the Midst of Zion
04:33 – Interpreting the Hebrew Language: Savior and Jesus
05:02 – Jesus: The Fountain of Living Water
05:39 – The Month of the Sacred Heart: Mary Leading Us to Jesus

Ave Maria!

Mass: Visitation of Our Lady (Opt 1) - Feast - http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/15480a.htm
Readings:  - http://usccb.org/bible/readings/053123.cfm
1st: zep 3:14-18
Resp: isa 12:2-6
Gsp: luk 1:39-56

More on the Readings: https://airmaria.com/r?m=1082

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