The Magnificat: Mary’s Song of Praise
46b “Oh, how my soul praises the Lord.47 How my spirit rejoices in God my Savior!48 For he took notice of his lowly servant girl, and from now on all generations will call me blessed.49 For the Mighty One is holy, and he has done great things for me.50 He shows mercy from generation to generation to all who fear him.51 His mighty arm has done tremendous things! He has scattered the proud and haughty ones.52 He has brought down princes from their thrones and exalted the humble.53 He has filled the hungry with good things and sent the rich away with empty hands.54 He has helped his servant Israel and remembered to be merciful.55 For he made this promise to our ancestors, to Abraham and his children forever.”
Luke 1:46-55 (NLT)
Most compassionate God, it is sometimes hard to pray Mary’s Song of Praise, in this world of today, so filled with such disparity and need. Yet I pray it nevertheless, knowing that your in-breaking into this creation was not a one time event, but that you enter into this world and into our lives each and everyday.
I believe that your mighty arm still does “tremendous things!”, so often through us, in our Christ-like relationships with our neighbors in our lives. You have, and will continue to "scatter the proud and haughty ones", even today. You have and will bring down “princes from their thrones”, the ones who distort your Word, the authority which you have given them, and our faith. And you will exalt “the humble”, and side with the poor. You will fill “the hungry with good things” and send “the rich away with empty hands”.
My gracious thanks is not for riches or position or power, but for the good things – the best things – which you have blessed me with, even now. Family; the dearest of friends, who journey with me today, and for all those remembered and cherished in my heart from the days of my youth; from so many years gone by. My prayer of gratitude is for colleagues who have encouraged and supported me over these past two years of hardship. And for the hope that abides in my spirit, still.
For all this I lift up my prayers of thankfulness, and can pray Mary’s Song, now and for what is yet to come.
Blessed is your name, O Lord.
Amen.
Rev. Michael Kirchhoff
based on Luke 1:46b-55
