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The readings are stunningly beautiful! The passage from the prophet Zephaniah paints such a strong picture of our need to shout for joy, because of what God keeps doing for us, that one can scarcely read it without being lifted up. It makes you want to dance for joy! Because it isn't so much about our rejoicing in God, but about God's rejoicing over us with gladness and singing joyfully because of us! Imagine that! The response from another prophet, Isaiah, is even more powerfully upbeat because it spells out more clearly the reason for our hope.. A way of praying that I recommend today is to slowly and repeatedly read this passage in light of how we have experienced salvation, why we have every reason to be "confident and unafraid," since "our strength and our courage is our savior." Then, "with joy we will draw water at the fountain of salvation." Finally, we have the story of Mary's trip to the hill country for the purpose of encouraging, supporting, and helping her cousin, Elizabeth. What a dramatic greeting! What an extraordinary visit! Mary herself doesn't even have to tell Elizabeth that she too is pregnant. Elizabeth felt it in her own womb, as her infant leaped for joy. Filled with the Holy Spirit, her words of humble and joyful praise ring out for us down through the years: "Most blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. And how does this happen to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?" Think of how often her words have been repeated down through the centuries! Then comes Mary's own ecstatic hymn of praise, which we still rightly call the Magnificat. It's a perfect prayer of Thanksgiving, and it continues to inspire us all, generation after generation. Repeating this prayer of Mary is my final suggestion for praying this joyful mystery, as we say to our God: "Keep us open to the working of your Spirit, and with Mary may we praise you forever." |