an image of Vladimir's famous icon "Our Lady of Tenderness" in my home
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 . (Click here to read entire text:) Luke 1:26-38.)
I offer for your reflection the Song of Mary that Luke places upon her lips ~ the Magnificat, sung or recited everywhere in the church throughout the world each 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 it recognizes 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 like the poor, Lord.
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.
It’s a Song about Justice from the lips of Mary, the Mother of God. About Justice entering our world.
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 is implied here about universal health care and so much more. . .
Now to thrill you and inspire you, here’s introduction to Bach’s Magnificat on You Tube. If you scroll down the right side of the page, you will find other segments of the concert as well. Or you can Google “Magnificat videos” and have an amazing choice, including Shubert and Mozart and Michael Talbot. Be sure to enter FULL SCREEN. ENJOY!
Father Bob's Reflections 