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b'(Zeph.3:14-18\\xa0 or\\xa0 Rom.12:9-16;\\xa0\\xa0 Is.12:2-6;\\xa0\\xa0 Lk.1:39-56) \\xa0 \\u201cSing praise to the Lord for His glorious achievement; let this be known throughout all the earth.\\u201d \\xa0 How can we capture the joy of this day?\\xa0 For here is the sign of our promised salvation; here we find the first apostolic act in Mary\\u2019s bringing the Word of God, so recently conceived in her womb, to Elizabeth, and to her son John the Baptist. \\u201cShout for joy, O daughter Zion!\\xa0 Sing joyfully, O Israel!\\u201d Zephaniah encourages the holy nation.\\xa0 And for what does Zion, and indeed the whole world, rejoice but that which we celebrate this day?\\xa0 Here in these simple, lowly women we find all of Israel rejoicing as she brings to birth her Savior.\\xa0 Yes, even now \\u201cthe Lord, [her] God, is in [her] midst,\\u201d even in her womb; and already He begins to bring salvation forth.\\xa0 Already we find a kind of first Pentecost as first, \\u201cElizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit and cried out in a loud voice: \\u2018Blessed are you among women and blessed is the fruit of your womb\\u2019\\u2026\\xa0 and then Mary said: \\u2018My being proclaims the greatness of the Lord, my spirit finds joy in God my savior?\\u201d\\xa0 And already the Baptist in the womb of his aged mother has been inspired by the presence of the Son of God; already he has \\u201cstirred in [her] womb for joy,\\u201d just at the sound of Mary\\u2019s voice touching the ears of his mother, even as Jesus is but days old in Mary\\u2019s blessed womb. And how does all this joy come but through humility.\\xa0 \\u201cFor He has looked upon His servant in her lowliness; all ages to come shall call [her] blessed.\\u201d\\xa0 Yes, Mary is raised \\u201cto high places,\\u201d is become the Mother of God, because of her great humility before Him.\\xa0 It is this lowliness she proclaims in her canticle today; it is this lowliness Elizabeth exudes when she asks, \\u201cWho am I that the mother of my Lord should come to me?\\u201d \\u2013 and it is this same lowliness which is required of all the children of Israel, of all Abraham\\u2019s descendants, if we are to know that \\u201cthe Lord has removed the judgment against [us],\\u201d if we are to \\u201cshout with exultation\\u201d for \\u201cthe Holy One of Israel\\u201d in our midst. Let us heed Paul\\u2019s instruction to the Romans to \\u201cput away ambitious thoughts and associate with those who are lowly\\u201d that we might \\u201crejoice with those who rejoice.\\u201d\\xa0 As our holy women today, these models of faith, let us \\u201clook on the needs of the saints as [our] own\\u201d and \\u201cbe generous in offering hospitality.\\u201d\\xa0 \\u201cBe fervent in spirit; He whom you serve is the Lord.\\u201d\\xa0 For it is He who comes under your roof this day.\\xa0 It is His holy name you should proclaim in all you do and say.\\xa0 And the blessing of salvation shall be upon you. \\xa0 Mother of God, bring to us this day our Savior, that we might rejoice with you in heaven. \\xa0 Written, read & chanted by James Kurt; produced by Carie Fortney. Music by Carie Fortney; used by permission. ******* O LORD, you have looked upon us in our lowliness and sent your Son to dwell among us \\u2013 may we praise you always for your glory! YHWH, let us praise your holy NAME this day, for you have come into our midst and raised us poor creatures from the dust to dwell with you in your Temple.\\xa0 Praise you, LORD!\\xa0 Visit us this day in your love, through the intercession of the Blessed Mother. O LORD, make us humble and lowly as she who carries your Son to us, humble and lowly as Israel your Chosen one \\u2013 humble and lowly as Jesus Himself.\\xa0 In Mary\\u2019s womb with Him let us dwell and so hear your voice calling to our hearts through all she speaks unto our poor ears.\\xa0 In darkness we remain, in the cave of this world; but you bring us light and life \\u2013 for such grace let us praise you! Dispel all fear from our hearts, LORD, at the sound of your Mother\\u2019s voice, and so with her let us proclaim your greatness, and the salvation you have wrought in your mercy.\\xa0 We are nothing, nothing but simple souls waiting on your Word\\u2026\\xa0 Speak to us this day and awaken us to your glory, that our hearts might exult in your presence all our days.\\xa0 Mother of God, pray for your poor children.'