And Mary said: My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord, and my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior because He has looked with favor on the humble condition of His slave. Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed because the Mighty One has done great things for me, and His name is holy. His mercy is from generation to generation on those who fear Him. He has done a mighty deed with His arm; He has scattered the proud because of the thoughts of their hearts; He has toppled the mighty from their thrones and exalted the lowly. He has satisfied the hungry with good things and sent the rich away empty. He has helped His servant Israel, mindful of His mercy, just as He spoke to our ancestors, to Abraham and his descendants forever. Luke 1:46-55
My words…
The expressions of praise and gratefulness which flowed from Mary’s heart nurture and strengthen my soul. She was the one chosen among many. She would carry the child on which the hopes of her entire nation rested. The Messiah. The Anticipated One. The Hope of Israel. This most excellent honor was not bestowed upon a famous woman, a woman of means, or any woman expecting it. No. You elevated the lowly peasant girl engaged to a working class carpenter. No worldly “fluff” floated in front of her eyes. She saw You clearly as one who spoke with You often and thought about You the rest of the time. She understood how You work: You bless those who fear You. You are just: You satisfy those who have nothing. You are mighty: No earthly power can stand against You. Mary knew that You were preparing to bare Your arm, to reveal Your powerful love in the form of You with skin. She knelt before You, opened her heart and her mouth, and magnified Your name for me to read all these years later. No one else but You would have chosen her for the job. She knew You. She knew how to love You. Even now, she helps me praise You.
