*NOVENA TO THE MOST SACRED HEART OF JESUS* *Day Two* *Scripture reading: Luke 1 :39–56* In those days Mary set out and went with haste to a Judean town in the hill country, where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the child leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit and exclaimed with a loud cry, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. And why has this happened to me, that the mother of my Lord comes to me? For as soon as I heard the sound of your greeting, the child in my womb leaped for joy. And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfilment of what was spoken to her by the Lord.” And Mary said, “My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has looked with favour on the lowliness of his servant. Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed; for the Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is his name. His mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation. He has shown strength with his arm; he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts. He has brought down the powerful from their thrones, and lifted up the lowly; he has filled the hungry with good things, and sent the rich away empty. He has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy, according to the promise he made to our ancestors, to Abraham and to his descendants forever.” And Mary remained with her about three months and then returned to her home. *REFLECTION; Mary set out and went with haste* Mary was pregnant – with God inside her – and she set out on a mighty journey, driven by the needs of her elderly cousin. She didn’t hold back or stay indifferent. This story can draw me out of myself, to wonder about the needs around me. Many people in our world eagerly await visits from those who care about them. The elderly, the sick, the imprisoned, and refugees all need a compassionate glance, a visit from a caring neighbour who puts the needs of others first. Mary shows us that when Christ is within us, he moves us to be with others in moments of sharing, love and service. From her meeting with Elizabeth, Mary’s Magnificat emerges—a song of hope for the world’s transformation. It reminds us that when Jesus is in us we can bring His love to everyone we meet, sparking changing the world, bit by bit, through powerful encounters and acts of service. As we continue our novena to the Sacred Heart, we ask what act of love and service God might be calling us to do. We ask for the grace to ‘set out and go quickly’ like Mary our Mother. *Let us pray* Jesus, you have said: “Truly I say to you, if you ask anything of the Father in my name, he will give it to you.” Behold, in your name, I ask the Father for the grace of my request. (Name intention) Pray the Our Father, Hail Mary, and Glory Be. O most Sacred Heart of Jesus, I place all my trust in you.