December 22, 2018
My soul magnifies the Lord
Dear friends in Christ, the Liturgy today presents the thanksgiving by two women who were favoured by God.
In the first reading of today (1Samuel 1:24-28) Hannah, a previously barren woman who now by grace has become the mother of Samuel, brought the child to the house of God at Shiloh, where she had prayed asking the Lord for a child. She came to make the offering for the first born son. Her thanksgiving is not just to give God anything in sacrifice, but also to turn the child over to God. “Oh, my lord! As you live, my lord, I am the woman who was standing here in your presence, praying to the Lord. For this child I prayed; and the Lord has granted me my petition which I made to him. Therefore I have lent him to the Lord; as long as he lives, he is lent to the Lord.” She must have been overjoyed by the fact that the Lord took away her shame, in this wondrous birth of a child after many years of being barren.
In the Gospel (Luke 1:46-56) Mary’s song of praise, the magnificat was a burst of joy at the encounter with Elizabeth. In this song she recognised her lowly estate which God has changed completely, because henceforth, all generations will call her blessed. This is something God has done. She recognised that fact, that God’s mercy does not end with only herself—it continues down generations, upon those who hold him in fear. There is no honour we can give to Mary, that should be considered too much. It is God who honoured her first by bestowing on her, the grace to be the mother of the Saviour and overshadowing her with the Holy Spirit. Those who are too proud to honour Mary, should listen to her as she says, “He has shown strength with his arm, he has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.” Mary praised the goodness of God in reversing the conditions of the poor to satisfy their needs; but also the mighty, the rich, the exalted will need to put on the gab of humility to avoid falling.
In Mary’s song of praise, we can find our voices. She sang her praises in anticipation of what was even to come. She was yet to fully understand the challenges of this Motherhood, but was full of joy and praises. We cannot be tired of singing the praises of God. Our challenges are not going to disappear overnight but in all things, we continue to give praise to God who has chosen us and redeemed us in his only Son.
Let us pray: Lord, fill us with joy so that we may praise your glory. Amen. May the Almighty God bless you, the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen.