Reading: From the Gospel according to St. Luke 1: 39

Dear and Respected Brethren,

The Holy church observes this great day on which two noble ladies, one young and the other pretty old, had a unique audience as the day of Ladies of the Church (Vanitha Dinam) Today’s reading tells us about St. Mary’s keen interest to congratulate and provide all possible service to her aunt and hence she took all pains to reach the house of Elizabeth in the hill country in haste. When Elizabeth heard the sound of salutation from St. Mary the baby in Elizabeth leaped in joy. This happened only because Lord Jesus was in the womb of St. Mary. Our Lord and Savior incarnated from her to stay in all the mankind. He offered His own flesh and blood and offered to live in each and every one who might partake His flesh and blood. Moreover He entrusted the Church to carry on the sacrament until His second coming. And the Holy Church is continuing the command it received from the Lord God. Hence we all are blessed to be with Him and in Him. Let us think how many of us could provide joy, happiness and peace, when we might meet or greet others. It is a must that others who might meet us or listen us must get the voice and loving feather touch of our Lord and Savior. Until and unless we could do so, we cannot witness Him. Here not only Elizabeth, but also the baby in her womb got the love, peace and blessing of the Holy Spirit from Lord Jesus in St. Mary. Let us have the Holy Communion (the word communion means come in union with God) we must be serious about re-instating and powering God and His spirit in us. Let us try to live as meaningful Christians. St. Mary’s salutation was sincere and honest. There was no hidden agenda behind her visit and salutation. The people of the contemporary world do not know or do not practice a system of having interaction with others so sincerely and innocently as our forefathers too did. We often interact with others either for some or other gossips or for some or other hidden intentions of selfishness. We must learn to interact with others at any occasion or time so sincerely and innocently to share the love bestowed upon us from God Almighty.

When Elizabeth heard the salutation of St. Mary, she too reacted so positively and sincerely. She could have claimed that she was blessed by God and it was due to the prayers submitted by her and her husband. She could have boasted about her husband’s services in God’s temple, as most of us do these days. Instead of all these, she spoke out with a loud voice, and said “Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb” and exclaimed “and whence is this to me that the mother of my Lord should come to me?” Elizabeth could address St. Mary as the mother of Lord only because she was filled with the Holy Spirit. One who is having the gift and blessing of the Holy Spirit cannot deny the truth that St. Mary is mother of God. Modern sectarian groups do not honor or respect St. Mary as the Mother of God and that is why they are against observing the intercession of St. Mary, Mother of God. Such arguments are baseless and against the word of God. God Almighty selected Elizabeth to declare that God has selected a humble simple and feeble girl to be the mother of the Son of God. God’s appointment of Elizabeth to declare this great truth is incredible and beyond explanation. Another revelation of Elizabeth is recorded in verse 45 of today’s reading where we read, “And blessed is she that believed for there shall be a performance of those things which were told her from the Lord.” Who might have told Elizabeth about the details of the message from God Almighty to St. Mary? It is nobody other than the Holy Spirit. Let us realize that the Holy Spirit could do so at any time or occasion. And nothing is impossible to God.

Next we notice of the humbleness and saintly nature of St. Mary. She became more and more humble ad said “My soul does magnify the Lord and my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior.” How great was her reaction. The portion from verses 46 to 43 is known as the hymn or song of St. Mary, Mother of God. The Holy Church gives much honor and respect for this and the hymn as a whole is a part and parcel of the most important sacraments and services of the Holy Church.  If we were in her place, we might have arranged a very big party and we might have invited all our friends and even foes and would have celebrated. We often tend to celebrate all graces from God and often forget to magnify the Giver of all gifts, services and blessings. That is the utter failure. A few of us intend to convert the occasions of sorrow too by inviting friends and offering drinks. We must have a complete change in our behavior as well as mode of life. We all must have the courage and willingness to say like St. Mary “For he that is mighty has done to me great things and holy is his name.” Let us not forget the words of St. Mary in verse 50 “And His mercy is on them that fear him from generation to generation.” Let us train up our youngsters in beseeching the mercy of God Almighty.

May God bless us all

Jose Kurian Puliyeril

Reading: From the Gospel according to St. Luke 1: 39

Dear and Respected Brethren,

The Holy church observes this great day on which two noble ladies, one young and the other pretty old, had a unique audience as the day of Ladies of the Church (Vanitha Dinam) Today’s reading tells us about St. Mary’s keen interest to congratulate and provide all possible service to her aunt and hence she took all pains to reach the house of Elizabeth in the hill country in haste. When Elizabeth heard the sound of salutation from St. Mary the baby in Elizabeth leaped in joy. This happened only because Lord Jesus was in the womb of St. Mary. Our Lord and Savior incarnated from her to stay in all the mankind. He offered His own flesh and blood and offered to live in each and every one who might partake His flesh and blood.

Moreover He entrusted the Church to carry on the sacrament until His second coming. And the Holy Church is continuing the command it received from the Lord God. Hence we all are blessed to be with Him and in Him. Let us think how many of us could provide joy, happiness and peace, when we might meet or greet others. It is a must that others who might meet us or listen us must get the voice and loving feather touch of our Lord and Savior. Until and unless we could do so, we cannot witness Him. Here not only Elizabeth, but also the baby in her womb got the love, peace and blessing of the Holy Spirit from Lord Jesus in St. Mary. Let us have the Holy Communion (the word communion means come in union with God) we must be serious about re-instating and powering God and His spirit in us. Let us try to live as meaningful Christians. St. Mary’s salutation was sincere and honest. There was no hidden agenda behind her visit and salutation. The people of the contemporary world do not know or do not practice a system of having interaction with others so sincerely and innocently as our forefathers too did. We often interact with others either for some or other gossips or for some or other hidden intentions of selfishness. We must learn to interact with others at any occasion or time so sincerely and innocently to share the love bestowed upon us from God Almighty.

When Elizabeth heard the salutation of St. Mary, she too reacted so positively and sincerely. She could have claimed that she was blessed by God and it was due to the prayers submitted by her and her husband. She could have boasted about her husband’s services in God’s temple, as most of us do these days. Instead of all these, she spoke out with a loud voice, and said “Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb” and exclaimed “and whence is this to me that the mother of my Lord should come to me?” Elizabeth could address St. Mary as the mother of Lord only because she was filled with the Holy Spirit. One who is having the gift and blessing of the Holy Spirit cannot deny the truth that St. Mary is mother of God. Modern sectarian groups do not honor or respect St. Mary as the Mother of God and that is why they are against observing the intercession of St. Mary, Mother of God. Such arguments are baseless and against the word of God. God Almighty selected Elizabeth to declare that God has selected a humble simple and feeble girl to be the mother of the Son of God. God’s appointment of Elizabeth to declare this great truth is incredible and beyond explanation. Another revelation of Elizabeth is recorded in verse 45 of today’s reading where we read, “And blessed is she that believed for there shall be a performance of those things which were told her from the Lord.” Who might have told Elizabeth about the details of the message from God Almighty to St. Mary? It is nobody other than the Holy Spirit. Let us realize that the Holy Spirit could do so at any time or occasion. And nothing is impossible to God.

Next we notice of the humbleness and saintly nature of St. Mary. She became more and more humble ad said “My soul does magnify the Lord and my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior.” How great was her reaction. The portion from verses 46 to 43 is known as the hymn or song of St. Mary, Mother of God. The Holy Church gives much honor and respect for this and the hymn as a whole is a part and parcel of the most important sacraments and services of the Holy Church.  If we were in her place, we might have arranged a very big party and we might have invited all our friends and even foes and would have celebrated. We often tend to celebrate all graces from God and often forget to magnify the Giver of all gifts, services and blessings. That is the utter failure. A few of us intend to convert the occasions of sorrow too by inviting friends and offering drinks. We must have a complete change in our behavior as well as mode of life. We all must have the courage and willingness to say like St. Mary “For he that is mighty has done to me great things and holy is his name.” Let us not forget the words of St. Mary in verse 50 “And His mercy is on them that fear him from generation to generation.” Let us train up our youngsters in beseeching the mercy of God Almighty.

May God bless us all

Jose Kurian Puliyeril