forever, will call me blessed.
The Mighty One has done great things for me, Holy is his Name! From age to age, his mercy
extends to those who live in his presence. He has acted with power and done wonders, and
scattered the proud with their plans.
He has put down the mighty from their thrones, and lifted up those who are downtrodden.
He has filled the hungry with good things, but has sent the rich away empty. He held out his
hand to Israel, his servant, for he remembered his mercy, even as he promised to our fathers,
to Abraham and his descendants forever.”
Mary remained with Elizabeth about three months, and then returned home.
Reflect
While it is certainly true that our faith is a source of comfort and strength in times of difficulty,
our faith challenges us as well. Today’s Gospel is Mary’s song of praise, the Magnificat. In this
song, Mary doesn’t praise God for the comfort and strength he has given her that will help her
fulfill her calling to be the mother of his Son. Instead, she sings God’s praise because he
upends the status quo and reestablishes his justice.
The story of Scripture is the story of God doing the unexpected. He favors the poor, the weak,
and the humble rather than the rich, powerful, and exalted. The hungry are fed. The sick are
healed. Sinners are forgiven. God becomes human. Death is destroyed. Human beings gain
a share in divine life. Mary, filled with God’s grace, carrying Jesus in her womb, and
overshadowed by the Holy Spirit, sings of the justice of God’s kingdom, giving thanks for the
role that she will have in bringing that kingdom to birth. How can we help to bring God’s
kingdom? How can we live in God’s justice?
© Copyright Bible Diary 2023