Color: White\r\rOld Testament: Isaiah 61:7–11\rPsalm: Psalm 45:10–17; antiphon: v. 6\rEpistle: Galatians 4:4–7\rGospel: Luke 1:39–55\rGospel: Luke 1:46–55\rIntroit: Psalm 34:2–5; antiphon: v. 1\rGradual: Psalm 45:13–14\rVerse: Luke 1:46b–47\r\rSt. Mary, Mother of Our Lord\r \rThe Lord clothes His people “with the garments of salvation” and covers them “with the robe of righteousness” (Is. 61:10). So the blessed Virgin Mary “rejoices in God [her] Savior” (Luke 1:47). The Lord was gracious to her. She “believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her from the Lord” (Luke 1:45). That is why “all generations will call [her] blessed” (Luke 1:42, 48); likewise, “blessed … are those who hear the word of God and keep it” (Luke 11:28). She has the unique honor of being the one from whom the Righteous One “sprouts” on earth “before all the nations” (Is. 61:11). But she sings as a recipient of His great mercy. “God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons” (Gal. 4:4–7). Mary is rightly called “Mother of God” because of the nature of the Son she bore, but He alone is called “Savior,” “Redeemer” and\r“Advocate.” Jesus Christ is the “one thing … necessary,” come to rescue and heal and save us (Luke 10:28–42). He is the seed of the woman at last come to crush the serpent’s head for us (Gen. 3:15).\r\rLectionary summary © 2021 The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. Used by permission. http://lcms.org/worship