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Friday, 13 August 2010 |
TO RADJU LUMINARIANADUR-GOZO “We must therefore make sure
that in the hands of the new
apostles, the means of social
communication, particularly radio
and television because of their enormous influence
on the masses, become a valuable tool for the evangelization.
In this area, lay people are called
to play a most important role. Pope John Paul 11
EJJA KANTA FUQ RADJU LUMINARIA 12/9/2010 FROM 9.30AM TO NOON CHILDREN FROM 3 YEARS TO 13 YEARS ANY SONG, ANY LANGUAGE LISTENERS ARE TO VOTE GIFTS TO BE GIVEN. Closing date to register is 5th September 2010 FLASH NEWS.....New Administration, new new new...... programms.........look out!!!!!!!!!!!!!! WOULD YOU LIKE TO ADVWERTISE ON OUR WEB PAGE? ......... DO SO AT ONCE CALL 21552266.
.  LUKE 1:39-56 Today’s Gospel reading relates the powerful story of Mary's visit to her cousin Elizabeth, after an angel told Mary that she would conceive in her womb and bear a son whom she should name Jesus. This Gospel, normally read during the season of Advent, is the Gospel for the Solemnity of the Assumption.Mary was fourteen years old, a virgin, betrothed to a man named Joseph. Betrothed in those days resembled our engagement to be married, but the man was referred to as a husband before the actual marriage took place. The couple lived apart during this time and there were no conjugal relations. If the man wanted to end the relationship he had to “divorce” the woman. If the woman became pregnant before the marriage she could be stoned to death.The reasons for her pregnancy sounded crazy even to Mary. From St Matthew’s Gospel we know that Joseph had serious doubts and he had decided to “divorce her informally to spare her disgrace” until he was reassured in a dream by the Lord that Mary’s conception was by the Holy Spirit.In this scenario, Mary’s “yes” to the angel showed tremendous faith and trust in God. She was a young girl and, although she said “yes”, she needed reassurance, love and acceptance. Learning that her cousin had recently become pregnant in her old age, Mary decided to visit her. Although she set off immediately Mary was still afraid to tell her story. Would Elizabeth believe her? And if so, how would she respond?As it turned out, Mary was already full of the Holy Spirit in her womb and John the Baptist, Elizabeth’s unborn son, performed his first prophecy from Elizabeth’s womb when he “jumped for joy” on hearing Mary’s voice. Since she was filled with the Holy Spirit, Elizabeth immediately knew and accepted Mary’s story.Mary received the love and acceptance she needed and was affirmed. She burst into the Magnificat, her great song of praise and began to understand the nature of God – “The Almighty has done great things for me. Holy is His name, and His mercy reaches from age to age for those who fear Him”. She prophesied Jesus’ ministry - “pulled down princes from their thrones and exalted the lowly. The hungry he has filled with good things, the rich sent away empty.” She knew she was blessed and all generations would call her blessed.Mary’s position was precarious but she believed that God would take care of her and her unborn child. How many 14 year old girls today, finding themselves pregnant and unmarried, would trust God to see them through even in the face of the guilt and shame placed on them by society. The temptation to get rid of the problem by having an abortion would be great.A decision to get pregnant should not be taken lightly as this is a lifetime commitment, which should be made by mature adults in the sanctity of marriage. In pregnancy, God is working with human beings in the process of creation. Young girls who discover that they are pregnant out of wedlock need counselling, reassurance, love and acceptance in order to stop the cycle of violence that often results from being ostracised. A child brought forth in guilt and shame can become dysfunctional.Childbirth is full of mystery. Mary did not give birth only to Jesus’ body. She was His mother in the full sense of the term. From Mary He received physical and emotional characteristics. He also received a rich faith accumulated by generations of believers in Israel. He was educated in the faith of His ancestors.Childbirth must be celebrated as a gift from God of Himself. Jesus is God’s gift to all of humanity. God may not ask of us what He asked of Mary but may we be inspired by her to say “yes” in faith to God even when His request seems frightening.Lord, thank you for the gift of life. Thank you that you trusted humanity – you came to us as a helpless little baby born of a woman. Thank you for showing us the sacredness of childbirth.Forgive us for the times in our lives when we faced challenging situations and did not trust in you to see us safely through. Forgive us for abuse of any human being as we are all your children.Father, stop the violence that pervades our society. Help us to understand that love, care and affirmation have more positive results than correctional institutions. Amen |
