Mary's Song is Ours

9/12/2020

A Reflection on the Psalm for December 13th, 2020:
Third Sunday of Advent

Luke 1

R. My soul shall exult in my God.

My soul magnifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour, for he has looked with favour on the lowliness of his servant. Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed.

R. My soul shall exult in my God.

For the Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is his name. His mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation.

R. My soul shall exult in my God.

The Lord has filled the hungry with good things and sent the rich away empty. He has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy.

R. My soul shall exult in my God.

Pause. Pray.

And then read more...

The Catechism calls Mary’s Magnificat, “the song both of the Mother of God and of the Church; the song of the Daughter of Zion and of the new People of God; the song of thanksgiving for the fullness of grace poured out in the economy of salvation and the song of the ‘poor’ whose hope is met by the fulfillment of the promises made to our ancestors” (CCC 2619). There is a lot to ponder and unpack here, but I want to focus on how Mary’s song is ours, as members of the Church and as the People of God.

Mary models for us a perfect response to God’s invitation to life-giving communion. She is open to His question in the annunciation, she responds with a "yes" to His will in and for her life, and she is
transformed by Him so much that she becomes the means for Him to enter the world as the Word
Incarnate. Recognizing His goodness and mercy, she sings of His glory in thanksgiving and rejoices in His presence – He is in her, growing and becoming and preparing to enter the world in a completely new way. Mary’s role is unique, but it is also symbolic of the relationship God desires to have with us.

The Lord invites us constantly to prayer and awaits our response. When we receive His Word, He
transforms us – and over time He grows within us until He is revealed to others through us. This is how evangelization is enabled – through a relationship with the Word of God, Christ Jesus, who is the Good News (the Evangelion) and who chooses to enter the world through humanity. God chose Mary, and He also chooses us – to participate in Christ’s salvation, His healing of humanity, and to restore our relationship with the Father.

I invite you to sit with this for a while, alongside me – it is hard for me to take it all in. Having the
slightest understanding and knowledge of who God is – it is amazing that He would choose to involve us in this grand task that is so vital and so motivated by love and mercy. How could He entrust this responsibility to us? How could He choose a little one, like me?

Somehow, these are His ways – and we don’t have to fully understand to still successfully participate in His mission. And Mary, despite not knowing the full plan and how it would play out, gives thanks and rejoices in her Savior even in this early time – before He has come in His fullness. May we imitate her most beautiful response, receiving His plans as God reveals them to us in His time and delighting and trusting in His goodness even before He is born in our hearts. He is growing in us now, in hiddenness – let us pray that He will be revealed and gifted to others through us. Amen.

Kendra L.

3 Comments

Alana

9/12/2020 01:48:34 pm

Oh Amen Kendra! So beautiful.

“The Lord invites us constantly to prayer and awaits our response. When we receive His Word, He
transforms us – and over time He grows within us until He is revealed to others through us...God chose Mary, and He also chooses us – to participate in Christ’s salvation, His healing of humanity, and to restore our relationship with the Father.”

God invites us to relationship with Him, to dance with Him, he never forces. It is such a blessing to think that He chooses me to participate. I struggle at times to believe that I am worthy of it all. Praise God that He equips the called and that means each of us for what He has specifically prepared for us. Thank you Lord. Help me to remember that I am Your beloved daughter and I am worthy of Your love and graces and gifts (not because of who I am, but because of who You are). Thank you Lord - Help me to participate in sharing You with everyone I encounter in whatever way You have prepared for me so that we can all come to know You better. Amen! 😊🙏🏻💕xo

Lisa Matheson link

12/12/2020 08:03:10 am

I love this part:
“ Having the slightest understanding and knowledge of who God is – it is amazing that He would choose to involve us in this grand task that is so vital and so motivated by love and mercy. How could He entrust this responsibility to us? How could He choose a little one, like me?”
I wonder this all the time. But then I remember that He came from heaven as a “little one”. I am comforted in knowing His wisdom is infinite and timeless.

Lori

15/12/2020 09:44:11 pm

Oh, Kendra! As I was re-reading your words, I remembered how it was to be in a pregnant state, and how I did all I could to bond with, protect, and nourish the life within me. When you likened our call to Mary's call, this is what I saw. When I was with child, I would often hold and rub my belly, truly treasuring what I was carrying within. This is what He asks of me now. This is the intimacy He calls us to. Thank you, Kendra, for illuminating this call for me!