VISITATION OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY Lectionary #572

The readings selected for this feast personalize Israel 's hopes for God's presence among the people. When we hear in the first reading that “the King of Israel, the Lord, is in your midst” or sing in the psalm, “Great in your midst is the Holy One of Israel,” we think of two things: Mary, pregnant, acclaimed as the “mother of my Lord” and ourselves, as the church continuing the incarnation of Christ.

Zephaniah 3:14–18a. Sparked possibly by the raising of a siege around Jerusalem , the prophet celebrates God's final triumph over evil and Israel 's liberation from oppression.

Psalm of the Day: Isaiah 12

This canticle (Isaiah 12:1–6) is like an individual psalm of thanksgiving. The Hebrew word for “savior” applied to God is transliterated as “yeshuah,” rendered in Latin, based on the Greek transliteration, as “Jesus.”

Cry Out with Joy and Gladness (Batastini) RS 205

Ustedes Sacarán Agua (García) FYC 282

Ustedes Sacarán Agua/You Will Draw Water Joyfully (Reza) FYC 2/JS 116

We Shall Draw Water (Inwood) GP 288/JS 117

With Joy You Shall Draw Water (Haugen) GC 148

Y Sacarán Agua (Rubi) FYC 395

You Will Draw Water (Guimont) RS 204

Romans 12:9–16. Paul's practical advice to the Christian community at Rome receives a shining example in the conduct of the two women celebrated today.

Luke 1:39–56. Luke brings together these two women in a scene that unfolds his understanding of Jesus' role in world history. His point is not Mary's care for her aged cousin (or she would not leave before the birth—see verse 56). It is so that both women may praise God active in extraordinary ways in their lives and so that Elizabeth 's child may be presented as the “precursor” of Mary's child.

Songs for the Liturgy

Instead of simply repeating the Magnificat, which is proclaimed in today's Gospel, consider using one or another variation of the text or meditation on the text as suggested here.

All Who Claim the Faith of Jesus (G) GC 787/RS 897

Canticle of the Turning (G) GC 556/RS 678

Christians, Let Us Love One Another (2) JS 751

Hail, Queen of Heaven/Salve Regina GC 779/RS 894/WOR 703

I Sing a Maid of Tender Years GC 781/RS 899

In the Lord I'll Be Ever Thankful (Ps) GC 566/RS 703/WC 827

Joy to You (G) WC 959

Mary, Woman of the Promise JS 496

Salve Regina/Hail, Blessed Lady WC 964

Salve, Regina/Hail Mary JS 499

Sing Praise to God Who Reigns Above (Ps) JS 610/RS 683/WC 904/WOR 528

Sion, Sing (1) RS 532

Surely It Is God Who Saves Me (Ps) RS 739/WOR 584

Tell Out, My Soul, the Greatness of the Lord (G) WOR 534

The Servant Song GC 669, 683/JS 829/RS 788

Word of God, You Spoke Creation JS 676