The 31st of May, 2023, Wednesday is the Feast of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The Bible scriptures for the holy mass readings for this day came from the Year 2023 of Liturgical Calendar.
Reading 1: ZEP 3:14-18A or ROM 12:9-16
The first reading from the Book of Zephaniah.
Sing, daughter of Zion! Shout, Israel! Be glad and rejoice with all your heart, daughter of Jerusalem.
Yahweh has taken away your judgments. He has thrown out your enemy. The King of Israel, Yahweh, is among you. You will not be afraid of evil anymore.
In that day, it will be said to Jerusalem, “Don’t be afraid, Zion. Don’t let your hands be weak.”
Yahweh, your God, is among you, a mighty one who will save. He will rejoice over you with joy. He will calm you in his love. He will rejoice over you with singing.
I will remove those who grieve about the appointed feasts from you.
or first reading from the Letter of Saint Paul to the Romans.
Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor that which is evil. Cling to that which is good.
In love of the brothers be tenderly affectionate to one another; in honor prefer one another, not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord, rejoicing in hope, enduring in troubles, continuing steadfastly in prayer, contributing to the needs of the saints, and given to hospitality.
Bless those who persecute you; bless, and don’t curse.
Rejoice with those who rejoice. Weep with those who weep.
Be of the same mind one toward another. Don’t set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Don’t be wise in your own conceits.
Responsorial Psalm: IS 12:2-3, 4BCD, 5-6
Response: “Cry aloud and shout, you inhabitant of Zion, for the Holy One of Israel is great among you!”
“Behold, God is my salvation. I will trust, and will not be afraid; for Yah, Yahweh, is my strength and song; and he has become my salvation.”
Therefore with joy you will draw water out of the wells of salvation.
R: “Cry aloud and shout, you inhabitant of Zion, for the Holy One of Israel is great among you!”
“Give thanks to Yahweh! Call on his name! Declare his doings among the peoples! Proclaim that his name is exalted!”
R: “Cry aloud and shout, you inhabitant of Zion, for the Holy One of Israel is great among you!”
“Sing to Yahweh, for he has done excellent things! Let this be known in all the earth!
Cry aloud and shout, you inhabitant of Zion, for the Holy One of Israel is great among you!”
R: “Cry aloud and shout, you inhabitant of Zion, for the Holy One of Israel is great among you!”
Gospel of the Day: LK 1:39-56
From the gospel verse according to Luke.
Mary arose in those days and went into the hill country with haste, into a city of Judah, and entered into the house of Zacharias and greeted Elizabeth.
When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb; and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.
She called out with a loud voice and said, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb!
Why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?
For behold, when the voice of your greeting came into my ears, the baby leaped in my womb for joy!
Blessed is she who believed, for there will be a fulfillment of the things which have been spoken to her from the Lord!”
Mary said, “My soul magnifies the Lord.
My spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior, for he has looked at the humble state of his servant. For behold, from now on, all generations will call me blessed.
For he who is mighty has done great things for me. Holy is his name.
His mercy is for generations and generations on those who fear him.
He has shown strength with his arm. He has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.
He has put down princes from their thrones, and has exalted the lowly.
He has filled the hungry with good things. He has sent the rich away empty.
He has given help to Israel, his servant, that he might remember mercy, as he spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and his offspring forever.”
Mary stayed with her about three months, and then returned to her house.
