INVISIBLE FORCE

During our lifetime we encounter people, situations and circumstances that one way or another influence, impact and sometimes unavoidably leave a mark in our life. It's a good thing if they benefit us in a positive way but sometimes there are some that create a negative impact on us. We become prisoners of these things or worse disabled and left crippled with it for life. Today's 1st reading tells us that the Lord has removed the judgment against us. We have no more misfortune to fear. Let us claim this for ourselves no matter what we've been through, and really make the Lord's presence be felt in our life by making Him King. Therefore if the Lord said so then we can definitely rely on His word. Whenever we see spectacular movies about the supernatural powers we can always expect scenes that are breathtaking and full of suspense. It showcases things like when all else failed after everything the characters have done and death or defeat is imminent then all of a sudden the powerful forces took their side and saved them from the claws of their enemies. It always turn out as a blockbuster movie that we find we find very entertaining and amusing without realizing that just like these movie characters, we as God's people can rely on His Almighty Power to win all our battles. Jesus our Savior is born, we have been redeemed. Amen. Hallelujah!

Zephaniah 3:14-18a (or Romans 12:9-16)
14 Shout for joy, O daughter Zion! Sing joyfully, O Israel! Be glad and exult with all your heart, O daughter Jerusalem! 15 The LORD has removed the judgment against you, he has turned away your enemies; the King of Israel, the LORD, is in your midst, you have no further misfortune to fear. 16 On that day, it shall be said to Jerusalem: Fear not, O Zion, be not discouraged! 17 The LORD, your God, is in your midst, a mighty savior; he will rejoice over you with gladness, and renew you in his love, he will sing joyfully because of you, 18 as one sings at festivals.

Just like the Blessed Mother Mary, who is Queen of heaven and earth, we too are destined for victory and royalty. If only we live out the example of her obedient life and carry Jesus in our hearts. Let us not lose hope and have faith in the Master Plan and Grand Design that God has for all of us. Amen. Hallelujah!

Psalm 33:2-3, 11-12, 20-21
R: 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...Our soul waits for the LORD, who is our help and our shield, 21 for in him our hearts rejoice; in his holy name we trust.

Today’s gospel is about the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary to St. Elizabeth. It shows us a number of wonderful things about God. In the womb of their mothers, John the Voice and Jesus the Word met, the women raised their own voices in praise. Elizabeth praised Mary and her child; Mary turned the joy of them both into a hymn of praise to God. In this scene of the Visitation we are made aware of Jesus acting here from the very start. This also calls our attention to the unborn children. He was barely a week old in Mary’s womb and John was only 6 months in Elizabeth’s womb. Mary takes Him to his first missionary work. Jesus is already pouring out grace and John received the grace as he leaped in her mother’s womb. Mary is the instrument in bringing Jesus to Elizabeth and John. We must realize this and not fear that she will distract us from being with Jesus. We should respond like Elizabeth and say something that we always say when we pray the rosary. No way should we think that it will get in the way rather it would lead us to praising God even more. The Son of God was still invisible at the time of the Visitation but the sound of Mary’s voice made it visible for Elizabeth. This is why it is also worth mentioning this meditation from Magnificat entitled: The Graces of the Visitation.
The events of today’s mystery bring before the faithful in a peculiar manner the fact that our God is a hidden God, and that his power works in the soul in a secret and impenetrable manner. Four people are concerned in the occurrence we are celebrating: Jesus and Mary; St. John, and his mother St. Elizabeth. Now, it is most remarkable that of all thee sacred personages the only one who seems to perform no particular action is the Son of God himself. Elizabeth, enlightened from on high, acknowledges the Blessed Virgin’s dignity and humbles herself deeply before her: “Whence is this to me?” (Lk. 1:43) John even within Elizabeth’s womb, feels his Divine Master’s presence, and shows his joy in a wonderful way: he “leaped for joy.” Mary, marveling at the great effects of divine omnipotence in herself, exalts the holy name of God and declares his munificence in her behalf, with her whole heart. But all this time Jesus Himself, hidden beneath his Mother’s breast, gives no sensible sign of his presence. He, who is the cause of the whole mystery, takes no active part in it.
Strange as this may seem, it is not really surprising. Our Lord here hides his power intentionally, to show us how he is the invisible force that moves all things without moving himself, and directs all things without showing his hand. Hence, we shall find that though he may seem to be passive on this occasion his influence is fully apparent in the actions of the rest, whose movements are really all inspired by him alone. One of the greatest mysteries of Christianity is the holy union that the Son of God forms with us, and his secret way of visiting us… When God deigns to look upon us, we can but learn from Elizabeth how to reverence his supreme greatness by fully recognizing our own nothingness, and to acknowledge his benefits by confessing our unworthiness. - Bishop Jacques Benigne Bossuet (1704) French Bishop and Theologian.

Pope John Paul II said that the Visitation and the Eucharist is related. Also St. Francis addressed Mary in this way, “Hail His tabernacle.” When Elizabeth said, “Blessed are you who believed that what was spoken to you by the Lord would be fulfilled.” Mary also anticipated the mystery of the Incarnation. She has become the 1st tabernacle in history. The Son of God became man in Mary’s womb. God entered human history. Every time we receive Holy Communion we do not see God, He is hidden from our gaze but we can radiate God’s presence. We can do this by beating the heart of Mary and reliving the experience at the foot of the cross especially the part when He said, “Behold your mother.” We should recognize her divine motherhood. Mary carried Jesus with such devotion and love. We should relate Mary’s fiat with our amen as we receive the body and blood of Christ during Mass. The word became flesh within her and dwelt among us. In the Eucharist the flesh, blood, soul and divinity of Jesus come within us. Amen. Hallelujah!

Luke 1:39-45
39 Mary set out in those days 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.”