31 May, Monday – Obedience of Mary

May 31 — Feast of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary

This day is called the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary because on it Mary visited her cousin Elizabeth, whom, as the angel had told her, God had blessed with a son in her old age.

• Patron Saint Index

Rm 12:9-16
Lk 1:39-56

…a visit from the mother of my Lord?

Ave Maria! O Mary Mother of God. So beautiful and so gentle, interceding for our prayers to your son, Jesus.

A priest once told us during a faith formation session that the Catholic Church is being held by two pillars. One of which is God, and the other is Mary. In many Christian teachings, Mary has been sidelined and forgotten in the very life of Jesus. Despite being a rather significant character in the Bible, she has not been honoured much more by some.

In today’s Gospel, Mary’s visitation to her cousin Elizabeth gives great joy to those around. Her singing of praises of the Lord amplifies her humility in accepting the gift in her womb; the gift so beautiful that the child in Elizabeth’s womb leapt. Mary is indeed a woman of the Lord to look up to. Her strength in faith goes beyond her acceptance of being the vessel to our Lord Jesus. I am sure we have heard much of Mary’s apparition in various places, and to chosen people. There have been much miracles and messages from our Mother who continuously warns us about the ways of this secular world, and making it more beautiful through immense prayers.

Let us dedicate the week to the Mother of our Lord. Perhaps you have been silent in accepting who she is, finding it difficult to include her in your prayer life, that a relationship with her just isn’t important at all. Read today’s Gospel again and take her praises as an example of how intimate her relationship is with God, her son being Jesus the Saviour. Reflect on her heartache on seeing her own Son dying on the cross, for accusations that were never fully justified. Blessed Mary, so patient, so faithful, so obedient to the Father.

(Today’s OXYGEN by Austin Leong)

Prayer: O Blessed Mother, forgive my wrongs for not making you part of my prayer life. Pray for us, that we make take on your example of being someone so obedient to God.

Thanksgiving: We truly give thanks for your acceptance to the Lord, taking on the immaculate conception, that you have brought us the greatest gift of all.