RE NEWS

Luke 1:39-56

The Magnificat.

 In this week’s reading, we hear the account of the Visitation — when Elizabeth greeted Mary and “the child leapt in her womb and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. She gave a loud cry and said, ‘Of all women you are the most blessed, and blessed is the fruit of your womb.’”Elizabeth then continued: “Why should I be honoured with a visit from the mother of my Lord? For the moment your greeting reached my ears, the child in my womb leapt for joy. Yes, blessed is she who believed that the promise made her by the Lord would be fulfilled.”

This passage is significant for several reasons. First, Elizabeth was Mary’s cousin — the same Elizabeth who would give birth to John the Baptist, the one who would later proclaim the coming of Jesus. More importantly, it affirms that Mary was filled with the Holy Spirit and that the child she carried was holy. This moment follows the angel Gabriel’s visit to Mary, where he announced that she would bear a child. Together, these passages make a clear connection: what God promises, God fulfils. 

The Assumption itself is the ultimate witness to this truth — that God’s promise of eternal life after death is real, and Mary, taken body and soul into heaven, is its first fruit. Even when something seems far-fetched or beyond our understanding of science, we can trust that what God says will be fulfilled in His own way and time.

But what does this mean for us today? First, it reminds us that Mary, the mother of Jesus, holds a special place — not only for Jesus, but for all of us. While we may see Jesus as a “masculine” figure we pray to, Mary can be a motherly figure we turn to for comfort and intercession, showing the tender love only a mother can. The vision of Mary at Fatima reinforces this, as she called us to pray to her so that she might enter into our lives and pray for us.

This week, we are invited to show special appreciation for Mary and to place our trust in her intercession. We might pray the Rosary, reflect on her journey, or even express extra love to our own mothers. 

by Jonathan Rooney 

Religious Education Leader 

Class Mass Timetable