His Lowly Servant

"Mary said, "Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word." Then the angel departed from her. During those days 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, 'Most 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.' And Mary said: 'My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord; my spirit rejoices in God my savior. For he has looked upon his handmaid's lowliness; behold, from now on will all ages call me blessed. The Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is his name…' Mary remained with her about three months and then returned to her home." 1

One Who Serves
She serves the one with greater need;
She puts aside her wants and fears.
She promptly follows Spirit's lead:
She draws God's love through joys and tears.

She serves with gentle, loving hands.
With wisdom, she discerns God's call:
To meet their needs, not their demands;
Forgetting self, she offers all.

Each service is an offering;
A petal strewn before His throne.
Each ounce of work and suffering,
Lifted with love, transcends our own.

Gentle Mother, teach me to love:
To serve your Son in ev'ry soul.
With wisdom's heart, this peaceful dove,
Offering all, will be made whole.

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1. Luke 1: 38-49 ,56