an image of Vladimir's famous icon "Our Lady of Tenderness" in my home

December 8th — The Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception

This is a feast of Mary for us Catholic’s.  In today’s gospel, we read the story of Mary’s Yes to God, her consent to bring Jesus into our world (Luke 1:26-38.)

I offer for your reflection the Song of Mary that Luke places upon her lips.

It is the Magnificat which is sung or recited everywhere in the church throughout the world every evening of the year.

And as you’ll see, it has a pretty radical message — if you allow yourself to think about it.

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.

His mercy on those who fear him in every generation

He has shown might with his arm, he has scattered the proud in their conceit.

He has cast  down the mighty from their thrones and has lifted up the lowly.

The hungry he has filled with good things and the rich he has sent away empty.

He has come to the help of his servant Israel,

for he has remembered the promise of his mercy,

the promise he made to our fathers [and mothers]

Abraham [and Sarah and Hagar] and [their] children for ever.

+ + + +

The song speaks of lowliness. Humility. Yet recognizing what God does in our lives.

Look with favor on me too, Lord.

Please — I need Your favor, Your grace.

Let my soul proclaim Your greatness.

Let me see (and accept) that you do good things for me, too.

Let me cry out every day:  Holy is Your name, my God!

Let your mercy be on us and our world.

Show your strength, Lord, the strength of Your justice.

Scatter the proud, the arrogant ones who control so much of our world.

Cast down the mighty.

Lift up the lowly.

Fill the hungry.

Send the rich empty away.

Come to the help of Your people in our time.

We, too, are descendants of Abraham — Jew / Muslim / Christian.

We are all Your children, Father.

To You be glory and honor and praise for ever.  Amen!

Dear Reader,

Luke places these words in the mouth of Mary at the very beginning of the story of Jesus.  It is the “Magnificat,” the Canticle of Mary, sung or recited by priests and nuns and monks all over the world every single day of the year at Evensong.  So, it’s a pretty important text to reflect upon.

I would like you to notice how radical this message is: “Cast down the mighty.” “Raise up the lowly.”  “Send the rich away empty.”

Sounds like a pretty political message, don’t ya think?

People have been thrown into prison for saying things like that.

But these words are two thousand years old!

An essential and enduring part of the Christmas story as told by Luke.

I think it’s a Song about Justice.  About Justice entering our world.  Right from the beginning.

I have sung Mary’s Song every evening for 30 years with spontaneous melodies arising from the mood of my soul of the moment.

And in that, I try to live the song!

How do you respond, dear friend?

How do you respond?

P. S.  I wonder what Jesus and Mary would have to say about universal health care???

With love,

Bob Traupman

priest / writer