From today’s Scripture: “Let your faithful ones shout merrily for joy. ”  — Ps 132:9

Today is a great feast in the Church, a Solemnity, when we celebrate that the Virgin Mary was so holy in God’s eyes that he would not let her body decay, even in death. After all, this was the body that held the body of our Lord. This is a sign of our own resurrection, the life of God within us that leads to everlasting life.

But let us not forget the simple woman of Nazareth, a widow, who lived such a normal, joyous, prayerful life. Pilgrims today go to Ein Karem, home of her cousin Elizabeth, near Jerusalem, to celebrate that. It is the great mystery, the moment of faith, of encounter with God’s saving grace. Even the baby within, John the Baptist, leapt for joy. Let’s not forget that as we anticipate our own resurrection. Today, we should be shouting merrily for joy!

Let us pray: Lord, today teach me to be joyous in my faith. Give me the grace to let go of the sour face and embrace the smile!

Today’s author is John Feister, former Communications Director of Glenmary, now writing a novel set in Appalachia.

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