The Canticle of Mary

Monday of the Fourth Week of Advent

(Click Here for Readings)


Gospel of Luke 1:46-56

Mary said:

“My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord; my spirit rejoices in God my savior for he has looked upon his lowly servant. The Almighty has done great things for me,

and holy is his Name...."

Mary's Magnificat is familiar to Catholics around the world. Each day, we recite the beautiful words during the Divine Office Evening Prayer.  We read Luke's scripture passage  numerous times throughout the liturgical calendar. When we pray Mary's song of thanksgiving, do we understand the meaning of the words?  Here are some thoughts.....

He has looked upon his lowly servant.... God never abandons us even at the lowest points of our lives. He knows our faults and failings.  He recognizes our struggles and temptations.  Yet, he continues to bless us even when we wish to cast him aside forever!  Sometimes burdens are so severe that it's easier to dump God on the side of the road with a "No thanks!" than to persevere with our crosses.  When we make ourselves lower than God - that is more humble and less prideful - we can rejoice just like Mary!  We realize our burdens are not as heavy with God helping out with the load.

He has mercy on those who fear him....  This does not mean we "fear" God as in terrified or scared to death of him!  We fear God in terms of our faithfulness toward him.  When we trust in the Lord, and believe in his divine plans for us, his mercy is limitless.  He knows we are weak creatures prone to sinful actions.  He opens up his mercy, forgiving us our over and over again.  He never gets tired of pouring out his mercy because he loves us so incredibly much!

He has shown the strength of his arm and scattered the proud...  We read stories in the Old Testament about God parting the Red  ("Reed") Sea, inflicting plagues on the Egyptians, and destroying the evil Sodom and Gomorrah.  He takes actions into his own hands when he's seen His people disobey The Commandments.  The angry God of the Old Testament contrasts sharply with the more loving Jesus of the New Testament.  The Lord continues to show his strength throughout scripture even if his "persona" changes.  His strength lies in his willingness to always be of service to his faithful.  When we knock on the door, God will answer!

As Advent comes to a close, let us write our own "Magnificat" thanking God for all of the blessings he's given to us in 2014.  It can be in the form of a poem, a song, or simple prose.  Our unique prayer proclaims to the Lord, "I love you and I praise you!  Thank you for all that you do in my life and the lives of my loved ones.  You have done great things for me and Holy is Your Name.  Amen!"

-J.