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20th December 2009 
1. Silence 2. Praise/Worship 3. Scripture Reading 4. Questions for Reflection 5. By Heart – Meditation 6. Intercession 7. Covenant Prayer Lord Jesus Christ, by your suffering, death and resurrection, you give us new life: a life filled with joy and purpose; a life only you can give it, for you are the source of life. Guide us on our pilgrimage of life, that following you faithfully as your disciples, we may witness boldly to the world, your love and truth. Enlighten our minds and hearts that your Word which we read and meditated may take roots in our lives. Help us not to fall into sin and if we do fall due to our human weakness, bring us back to you for you are the way, the truth and the life. We also pray for all our brothers and sisters, wherever they are, who are committed to this prayer, that their faith may be strengthened, their hope assured and their love fulfilled. In your name we humbly pray. Amen |
“…Mary set out 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…  “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…”
QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION 1. What was the relationship between Mary and Elizabeth? Why did she go and visit Elizabeth? Did she go on her own initiative or did Elizabeth ask her to go? What does this tell you about Mary? 2. What did Mary do when she entered the house of Zechariah and Elizabeth? What happened after that? 3. When Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit, what did she do? Why is Mary blessed among women? Why is the fruit of the womb of Mary blessed also? 4. Why did Elizabeth call Mary, “the mother of my Lord”? What is the significance of this title? 5. Who was the infant in the womb of Elizabeth? What would be his mission in life? How would you describe his relationship with Jesus?
BY HEART: MEDITATION The womb is a sacred place because Jesus chose to enter this earth through the process of human development inside the womb of a woman. He could have come into this earth as a fully developed man. He could have chosen a different way to come into this world. But he chose to be conceived by the Holy Spirit in a womb. In today’s gospel reading, Jesus is known as the Fruit of the Womb of Mary. So, the womb must be a very special place and deserving of much honor if Jesus himself chose to live there for 9 months until the day of his birth. Today, however, the womb is no longer a sacred place, but a dangerous place because each year, millions and millions of abortion take place. The womb has indeed become a tomb. Jesus came into the world to give it life and life in abundance. Christmas is a celebration of life. May we never take for granted this great gift and safeguard it from the moment of conception until natural death.
INTERCESSION 1. For all expectant mothers, that they may always give thanks to God for the gift of life and to bring their children into the world in love 2. For every child who lives in the womb, that God might send an angel to guard and protect the innocent and defenceless  3. For fathers, especially those who are very young, that through the intercession of St. Joseph, they might assume the great responsibility which God has given to them 4. For all who are lonely or afraid, for the teenagers on the street, old people in nursing homes, prisoners with no one to visit them, and all whom the world has forgotten; that Christ might lead us to them.
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