The truest joy that a person can experience is the joy that is not based on self-aggrandizement, but one that is generated by magnifying God in one’s life. Mary experiences this kind of joy as she sings the Magnificat. She bursts into song after she wholeheartedly received the good news from God and was able to reach out to her cousin Elizabeth. The reasons for Mary’s blessedness are highlighted—for the fruit of her womb, as the mother of the Lord, and for believing that what was spoken to her by the Lord would be fulfilled. Today’s Gospel stresses that Mary’s blessedness is inseparable from her being a lowly servant of God. In her lowliness, Mary has found favor with God. There is no other way to receive and share God’s good news joyfully than to first recognize our lowliness before the God.
Do we recognize that upon sending his Son, we too have found favor with God? In joy and humility, are we ready to welcome the Lord in our hearts? As Christmas draws near, how can we concretely magnify the Lord in our daily life?
Gospel • Luke 1:46-56
Mary said: “My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord; my spirit rejoices in God my savior, for he has looked upon his lowly servant. From this day all generations will call me blessed; the Almighty has done great things for me, and holy is his Name. He has mercy on those who fear him in every generation. He has shown the strength of his arm, and has scattered the proud in their conceit. He has cast down the mighty from their thrones and has lifted up the lowly. He has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent away empty. He has come to the help of his servant Israel for he remembered his promise of mercy, the promise he made to our fathers, to Abraham and his children for ever.”
Mary remained with Elizabeth about three months and then returned to her home.
Source: “365 Days with the Lord 2022,” St. Pauls, 7708 St. Paul Rd., SAV, Makati City (Phils.); Tel.: 632-895-9701; Fax 632-895-7328; E-mail: publishing@stpauls.ph; Website: http://www.stpauls.ph.