God is in your midst
Homily of the Archbishop of Burgos, Monsignor Mario Iceta Gavicagogeascoa, during the Novena to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, delivered at the Basilica-Sanctuary of the Great Promise in Valladolid, on May 31, 2024, the Feast of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
(Video courtesy of "Church in Valladolid")
Zephaniah 3:14-18
Psalm: Isaiah 12:2-3, 4bcd, 5-6
Luke 1:39-56:
In those days Mary arose and went with haste into the hill country, to a town in Judah, and she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. And when Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the child leaped in her womb.
Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit and exclaimed with a loud cry, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear! But why is this granted to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her!”
And Mary said, “My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has looked with favor on his humble servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed, for the Mighty One has done great things for me—holy is his name. His mercy is from age to age to those who fear him. He has performed mighty deeds with his arm; he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts. He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble. He has filled the hungry with good things but has sent the rich away empty. He has helped his servant Israel, remembering his mercy, as he promised to our ancestors, to Abraham and his descendants forever.”
Mary stayed with Elizabeth for about three months and then returned home.