Tomorrow, Memorial Day is a day given to us to show our heartfelt appreciation for the sacrifices our military men and women made for our country -- for us. They did this out of love for our country, for their families and for us who benefit from what they did. Without thinking about them and praying for them, we can easily take for granted the land for which they fought. May we never forget them, and may they be with our Lord in eternal glory!
Tuesday, May 31, is the feast of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The Angel Gabriel appeared to Mary with the message that God was asking her to be the mother of his Son. He told her that her kinswoman Elizabeth, who was advanced in age, was with child. Once Mary responded to God’s call with her fiat (Let it be done to me according to your word), she conceived Jesus by the power of the Holy Spirit. The Gospel of Luke tells us that Mary set out in haste to the hill country of Judah to be with Elizabeth who was in her sixth month of pregnancy. This is what we commemorate tomorrow. We reflect on Our Lady’s charity. She was not concerned about any inconvenience in terms of traveling even though she herself was with child. She must have traveled with others going in that direction; it would not have been safe otherwise. Certainly, the way must have been arduous considering the terrain and weather.
Mary lived the love of God. She knew that her cousin would need help considering her old age. Mary brought not just her assistance; no, she brought something more; she brought the greatest Gift imaginable: Jesus. John the Baptist stirs joyfully in his mother’s womb as she is greeted by the Mother of God’s Son. So, our Lady brought joy to her cousin’s house because she carried Jesus in her womb.
We too can be of great help to those we meet. Like Mary, we can have that love which compels us to help others without looking for something in return. Moreover, we can carry Jesus in us to bring joy to others.
Thursday, June 2, is the Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord, a holy day of obligation. We commemorate the day that Jesus went up to Heaven. He shows us that this is the place that is prepared for us. This is the reason why He took our sins upon Himself, so that we could go there to live eternally in perfect love with God, Our Lady, the Angels and all the Saints. If we follow Mary’s example, we will imitate Jesus and stay on that road to Heaven.
Father Stanley
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