my spirit rejoices in God my savior.
for he has looked upon his lowly servant.
From this day all generations will call me blessed....
Our Gospel today, called the Magnificat, is the song of the Church. In fact, for many centuries we have read, chanted, or sang Mary's exultant prayer daily, during our Evening Prayer.
Mary speaks for all of us as she enjoys the privilege -- which in her case is deserved -- of knowing God in a most intensely physical and personal way. While her pregnancy is singular -- no one else will ever bear the Son of God in their womb -- she shares the grace of faith with every Christian. In that sense, her privilege is ours; and that is something wonderful.
Although we read the prayer daily, it's good to hear it announced on this third day before Christmas. Many of us, having been pregnant, or are pregnant, or have shared pregnancy with our wives, mothers, and sisters, know the challenges this young woman will face between Luke 1 and Luke 2. It is often uncomfortable.
But the promise of new life is wonderful, and it makes Mary beautiful. Her skin glows, her face shines, and her eyes smile as she arrives in Jerusalem and greets Elizabeth. The embrace of this old lady and young woman is ecstatic. No one can imagine how wonderful Mary's child will be. Only the prophetess Elizabeth can begin to appreciate it as she cries,
"And how does this happen to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?"
But even the prophetess cannot know the child will be the Incarnate Son of God, the second person of the Trinity. That will be revealed only at Easter, and fully comprehended only by martyrs. (First among them: John the Baptist!)
Pondering this mystery, I often return to John Donne's La Corona, and his expression,
Ere by the spheres time was created thouWast in His mind, who is thy Son, and Brother ;Whom thou conceivest, conceived ; yea, thou art nowThy Maker's maker, and thy Father's mother,Thou hast light in dark, and shutt'st in little roomImmensity, cloister'd in thy dear womb.
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I love to write. This blog helps me to meditate on the Word of God, and I hope to make some contribution to our contemplations of God's Mighty Works.
Ordinarily, I write these reflections two or three weeks in advance of their publication. I do not intend to comment on current events.
I understand many people prefer gender-neutral references to "God." I don't disagree with them but find that language impersonal, unappealing and tasteless. When I refer to "God" I think of the One whom Jesus called "Abba" and "Father", and I would not attempt to improve on Jesus' language.
You're welcome to add a thought or raise a question.