Luke 1:39 – 56

Let us all remember that we are in the Holy Presence of God.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Gospel: Luke 1:39 – 56
Mary set out in those days and traveled to the hill country in haste to a town of Judah, where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the infant leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth, filled with the holy Spirit, cried out in a loud voice and said, “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? For at the moment the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the infant in my womb leaped for joy. Blessed are you who believed that what was spoken to you by the Lord would be fulfilled.” And Mary said: “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 might with his arm, dispersed the arrogant of mind and heart. He has thrown down the rulers from their thrones but 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, remembering his promise of mercy, The promise he made to our fathers, to Abraham and to his descendants forever.” Mary remained with her about three months and then returned to her home.

Reflection
We celebrate the Visitation of Mary to her cousin Elizabeth. The gospel talks of love, selflessness and the divine purity of Mary. When Mary heard of the news from Archangel Gabriel, she immediately came to the aid of her cousin, whom was suffering a great deal; being pregnant at an old age and having a mute husband. Greeting her cousin, Elizabeth felt the baby in her womb rejoiced. We are now called to follow her example, not because we have to, but because like Mary, we truly care. In times of trials, enemies, evil and stubbornness, we must open our heart, mind and soul to prayer and faith. We must cleanse our conscience of temptation and guilt, in order to prevent our hearts from being closed off to what serves us goodness and peace. It also calls us to welcome our neighbors as Elizabeth had welcomed Mary into her home. When we open that door, we will find ourselves in our dwelling place, safe and comforted and comforting. God will prepare our life path full of different people, with different stories and intentions. No matter what, Mary’s Visitation teaches us that we should always be welcoming and accepting towards our visitors, being hospitable in the many ways we can.

Lasallian Guiding Principle
LGP states that, zeal for service is a whole hearted giving of oneself to the service of others, in gratuity and generosity, in creativity and fortitude, in compassion and commitment. The gospel shows how Mary manifests this value as she fulfills her needs instructed by God. Her compassion and selflessness was evident that in times of trials, she manages to be hospitable and caring for others. Just like what St. John Baptist De La Salle did during his time, he spent his years fulfilling his purpose that God bestowed upon him. He did this through his acts of love and faith to the poor, his classmates and to the people. The challenge for all Lasallians today is to find the courage of giving our genuine love and care to others, no matter what they have done to us. We are called to follow in the example of De La Salle, so that we may bring and live a new meaning to our Lasallian image.

One Heart Prayer
God, our Father, You love us with endless mercy. You call us to be your sons and daughters. You invite us to take care of the Earth, our common home. Lord, grant us a big heart. A heart always willing to love, a compassionate heart for those who suffer, a heart where there is a place for Lasallians all around the world. We make this prayer through the intercession of May, Queen and Mother of the Christian Schools, and through the intercession of Saint John Baptist De La Salle, patron of teachers, Amen.
Our Lady of the Star, pray for us.
St. John Baptist de La Salle, pray for us.
St. Miguel Febres Cordero, pray for us.
Live Jesus in our hearts, forever!
In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Value: Zeal for Service (Nurturing Service)
Culture Theme: We uphold preferential option for the poor, especially the youth-at-risk.
Productivity Theme: Outreach
ICV WEEK 3: We participate in God’s plan of fullness of life in the Spirit of St. John Baptist De La Salle.

DailyGospel. (2019) The Holy Gospel of Jesus according to Saint Luke. Retrieved from
https://dailygospel.org/AM/gospel/2016-05-05
DLSU ITS, DLSU STRATCOM, DLSU IRPA. (n.d.). Guiding Principles of the Philippine Lasallian Family.
Retrieved April 1, 2019, from http://www.dlsu.edu.ph/inside/lasallian-guiding-principles/default.asp

Prepared: Camille Joanna Rose C. Santos & Mafellaine Dianne T. Sarabia, Grade 12 – Gregorio
DLSMHSI through the DLSMHSI Lasallian Mission and Linkages, Lasallian Formation and Social Action

Our Daily Lasallian Reflection and Prayer is DLSMHSI gift to the Lasallian family for the 2019 Celebration of the Year of Vocation and Tercentenary celebration of the death of our founder SJBDLS.