The Canticle of Mary Luke 1:46-56

Today's Reflections

December 22, 2011

1 Sm 1:24-28
1 Sm 2

The Canticle of Mary

Luke 1:46-56

⁴⁶Mary said: “My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord;/ ⁴⁷my spirit rejoices in God my savior./ ⁴⁸For he has looked upon his handmaid’s lowliness;/ behold, from now on will all ages call me blessed./ ⁴⁹The Mighty One has done great things for me,/ and holy is his name./ ⁵⁰His mercy is from age to age to those who fear him./ ⁵¹He has shown might with his arm,/ dispersed the arrogant of mind and heart./ ⁵²He has thrown down the rulers from their thrones/ but lifted up the lowly./ ⁵³The hungry he has filled with good things;/ the rich he has sent away empty./ ⁵⁴He has helped Israel his servant,/ remembering his mercy,/ ⁵⁵according to his promise to our fathers,/ to Abraham and to his descendants forever.” ⁵⁶Mary remained with her about three months and then returned to her home.

Reflection:

Mary remained with her about three months. The year will end in nine days. Let us reflect on endings. The “Amen” in the song of Mary is the actual ending: Mary remains with Elizabeth about three months—that is, until Elizabeth gives birth.

The end is a proof of all that Mary professes. She has a kind and faithful God who has done great things for her. She, too, does a great thing for Elizabeth by staying with her when she needs her most. After all the blessings and reflections, what then? For Mary it means paying it forward, forgetting her own condition, and assisting the older Elizabeth.

A man gifted his friend with a rare plant he got from the top of the mountain. “Wow,” the friend exclaimed, “you climbed a mountain just for this gift?”

“Ah,” the giver answered, “the long, arduous climb is part of the gift, my friend!”

Give or make a unique, special, and personal gift for your loved one.