Gospel: December 12, 2025
December 12, 2025 (Friday)
2nd Week of Advent
Psalter: Week 2 (Violet/White)
Our Lady of Guadalupe
Judith 13:18bcde, 19
You are the highest honor of our race.
1st Reading: Zechariah 2:14-17 (or Revelation 11:19a; 12:1-6a, 10ab)
Gospel: Luke 1:39-47 (or Luke 1:26-38)
Mary then set out for a town in the hill country of Judah. She entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leapt in her womb.
Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit, and, giving a loud cry, said, “You are most blessed among women; and blessed is the fruit of your womb! How is it, that the mother of my Lord comes to me? The moment your greeting sounded in my ears, the baby within me suddenly leapt for joy.
Blessed are you, who believed that the Lord’s word would come true! And Mary said, “My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord, my spirit exults in God, my savior!
Reflection:
“Mary is full of grace.”
Elizabeth asks, “How is it, that the mother of my Lord comes to me?” She is humbled by the visit of one so highly blessed. And yet, Elizabeth’s humility is as nothing compared to Mary’s, who gives all the praise to God, who has done marvels for her and in her.
Mary is full of grace; a state that fills her with holiness and love. Therefore, her natural inclination is to share God’s love and God’s presence within her with others. She carries the Son of God to Elizabeth, that they might rejoice in the Lord together. Mary visits Elizabeth. She is her cousin, but she addresses her as “the mother of my Lord.” She visits Elizabeth to support her in her pregnancy.
The Mother of our Lord comes to us, too, in our need. That’s the message of Our Lady of Guadalupe. Mary reassured Saint Juan Diego by saying “Am I not here, I who am your mother?” May we know that in all the trials we face, we never face them alone. Mary our Mother is with us to support us. Christ, her Son and our Lord is within us, giving us his grace and his love.
