December 22nd
In the Gospel today, we have Mary’s response to Elizabeth’s greeting-a response that we have come to love in the Magnificat prayer. It is a prayer rooted in the Hebrew hymn of praise tradition and it something we could perhaps use as a guide for our own prayer today. Mary gives a reason for her praise “because has looked upon on his lowly handmaid” (Lk 1: 47); she joins with women such as Hannah and Leah in offering fulsome praise of God: “What happiness! Women will call me happy!” (Gen 30: 13). In full charismatic flow, Mary proclaims God to be:
• The mighty one-God saves the people; for the Hebrew people this is centred on Exodus, their freedom from slavery and commemorated annually at Passover.
• The holy one-Mary carries the holy one who will show the world what it means to be truly HOLY. It does not involve ‘chewing down the altar rails’ as the wise women of St James Parish in Bootle would often remind me!
• The merciful one-time and time again, God has offered his people yet another chance. God continues that quality in the ministry of both John and Jesus; we need to continue that quality in our forgiving and caring relationships.
As the prayer progresses, we see Mary echo Jesus’ concern for those on the margins; the reign of God is for all, not just the lucky few. Please never limit the grace of God to a special group that happen to go to your Church or who think just like you or pray just like you. We belong to a very broad Church as Mary reminds us, “he has routed the proud of heart, he has pulled down princes from their thrones and exalted the lowly. The hungry he has fed with good things, the rich sent empty away.” (Lk 1: 52-53). Gospel values are not always what society wants and the recent pandemic and enforced lockdown led many to look at their lives and see where priorities should lie. As the prayer ends Mary reminds us of the covenant bond that God has with all of us. “mindful of his mercy—according to the promise he made to our ancestors—of his mercy to Abraham and his descendants for ever” (Lk 1: 54-55). Unlike many of us, God makes a promise that will never be abandoned or conveniently forgotten; Mary is all too aware of the personal promise that God made to her at the Annunciation. In staying with Elizabeth for ‘about three months’ (Lk 1: 56), Mary honours that promise in her care for Elizabeth: we cannot say we are close to God and ignore our neighbour in need. The letter of John puts its very well, ‘If we say we love God, but hate others, we are liars. For we cannot love God, whom we have not seen, if we do not love others, whom we have seen.’ (1 Jn 4:12)
Today: offer help without having to be asked
We can pray:
Today we pray with Mary and offer our full praise and thanks to God; concentrate on the good that you have received and offer those bad memories and experiences to a God who is walking with you today.