Zeph 3:14-18 or Romans 12:9-16 / Luke 1:39-56
Pope Francis will be making a tour of this region in September and he will be stopping over in Singapore too.
Certainly we are excited about this occasion, as it was 38 years ago when Pope St John Paul II stopped over in Singapore for 5 hours, and he also got to celebrate Mass.
This time around, Pope Francis will be in Singapore for a couple of days, and he too will be celebrating Mass.
There is much eagerness and excitement over the availability of tickets to the Mass venue, and many have offered to volunteer their services.
But over and above the expectation and excitement of the occasion, it is truly a blessing and an occasion of grace.
The anticipated visit of the Pope is an echo of the feast of today, the Visitation of Mary.
In visiting Elizabeth, it was a moment of deep joy for both expecting mothers.
It was also a spiritual encounter between the two babies in their wombs.
The profound message is that salvation is at hand.
As Zechariah said when he regained his power of speech: Blessed be the Lord, God of Israel, He has visited His people and redeemed them.
On this feast of the Visitation, let us give thanks to God for the gift of salvation.
And as we prepare for the Pope’s coming visit, may we also prepare the blessings and graces that God is going to bestow upon us.