Saturday, 31st May 2025. Zeph 3: 14-18; Lk 1:39-56,

Laudato Si’ 241. “Mary, the Mother who cared for Jesus, now cares with maternal affection and pain for this wounded world. Just as her pierced heart mourned the death of Jesus, so now she grieves for the sufferings of the crucified poor and for the creatures of this world laid waste by human power…. She treasures the entire life of Jesus in her heart (cf. Lk 2:19,51) and now understands the meaning of all things. Hence, we can ask her to enable us to look at this world with eyes of wisdom.”

MAGNIFICAT. 

My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord,
my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
for he has looked with favor on his lowly servant.
From this day all generations will call me blessed:
the Almighty has done great things for me, and holy is his Name.
He has mercy on those who fear him in every generation.
He has shown the strength of his arm,
he has scattered the proud in their conceit.
He has cast down the mighty from their thrones,
and has lifted up the lowly.
He has filled the hungry with good things,
and the rich he has sent away empty.
He has come to the help of his servant Israel
for he has remembered his promise of mercy,
the promise he made to our fathers,
to Abraham and his children forever.
Glory beto the Father an d to the Son and to the Holy Spirit,
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen.

JUBILEE. The Jubilee of Families is taking place in Rome from 30 May to 1 June.     One of the topics will be the value of old age.  The elderly, who frequently feel lonely and abandoned, also deserve signs of hope. Esteem for the treasure that they are, their life experiences, their accumulated wisdom and the contribution that they can still make, is incumbent on the Christian community and civil society, which are called to cooperate in strengthening the covenant between generations. SNC14

Action:  Use Magnificat for sharing and discussion on a way forward as an Eco-Friendly Family.    

Reflection

The prophet Zephaniah echoes the message of consolation and encourage for Israel who feels weak and fearful because of the oppression imposed upon Jerusalem. In the face of such fear the prophet says, “Do not fear, O Sion; let not your hands grow weak. The lord your God is in your midst…. he will renew you in his love”. On the feast day of the Visitation let us acknowledge the role Mary played accepting the will of the Father to bear in her womb the Living Word of the Father, Jesus. Let her song of praise and confidence in the God of salvation for all who trust be our Magnificat, a hymn most appropriate for our vision of care for all of creation.  While we strive to change our behaviors towards others and the environment, like St Francis we will sing our song with confidence for the grace of renewal which we hope to receive through the intercession of Mary, Queen of all Creation.

Prayer for Families and Ecological Life    Pray the Magnificat.

God our father who, by sending into the world the Word of Truth and the Spirit of sanctification, made known to the human race your wondrous mystery, grant us we pray that in professing the true faith, we may acknowledge the Trinity of the eternal glory and adore Your unity, power and majesty through our Lord Jesus Christ your Son. Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God forever and ever Amen.

As Laudato si’ week ends we move into the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity.