Gospel Reading  ~ Luke 1:39-56

Within a few days Mary set out and hurried to the hill country to a town of Judah, where she entered Zechariah’s house and greeted Elizabeth. As soon as Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the child leaped in her womb and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. In a loud voice she exclaimed, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! But why am I so favored, that the mother of the Messiah should come to me? The moment your greeting reached my ears, the child in my womb leaped for joy. Blessed is she who believed that what our God said to her would be accomplished!” 

Mary said:

 “My soul proclaims your greatness, O God, 

and my spirit rejoices in you, my Savior. 

For you have looked with favor

upon your lowly servant,

and from this day forward

all generations will call me blessed. 

For you, the Almighty, have done great things for me,

and holy is your Name. 

Your mercy reaches from age to age

for those who fear you. 

You have shown strength with your arm;

you have scattered the proud in their conceit; 

you have deposed the mighty from their thrones

and raised the lowly to high places. 

You have filled the hungry with good things,

while you have sent the rich away empty. 

You have come to the aid of Israel your servant,

mindful of your mercy— 

the promise you made to our ancestors—

to Sarah and Abraham

and their descendants forever.” 

Mary stayed with Elizabeth about three months and then returned home.