Mary set out
and traveled to the hill country in haste
to a town of Judah,
where she entered the house of Zechariah
and greeted Elizabeth.

luke 1:39-40

Luke 1:39-47

Reflection

Mary visits her cousin Elizabeth, who is pregnant with John the Baptist. When Elizabeth hears Mary’s voice, John leaps in her womb and Elizabeth proclaims that Mary is blessed among women.

Mary’s reaction to hearing that her elderly cousin is pregnant is to immediately go and be with her. Surely Elizabeth needed support, both physically and mentally. Mary does the same for us. When we are in need, she immediately comes to our side and offers us her comfort, love, and prayers. She does not want any child of hers to suffer.

Even when we do go through periods of suffering and seem to have no relief, remember that Mary is still there and can offer you strength to endure. She witnessed her Son die and most certainly needed supernatural strength to endure such suffering. She understands you more than you realize and can lend her loving and yet sorrowful heart to you.

Reflect on how you turn to Mary in times of need. Ask her to be at your side when you need it most, and she will bring her love, comfort, strength, and Son with her.

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Saint of the Day

Our Lady of Guadalupe

“Listen and understand, my littlest son, let nothing frighten and afflict you or trouble your heart … Am I not here, I, who am your mother? Are you not under my shadow? Am I not your health? Are you not by chance held in my mantle?”