Word for the day by Christian Education Forum
Lord Worthy of Praise
Luke 1:46-56
This song, used in our worship liturgy, is full of joy and praise because Mary recognizes that God has acknowledged the life of a simple girl living in a small place– who in the eyes of the world is a person of no consequence. But not so with God. Where God is concerned, everyone is of equal value.
All this is very much in line with the picture of Jesus that Luke will show emerging as one reads through this gospel. It is a gospel where the poor, the weak, the marginalized, the outcast, and the sinful have a special place in the eyes of Jesus. This note will often be stuck in the preaching of Jesus - the humble will be exalted and the exalted will be humbled. And there are ‘beatitudes’ praising persons whose lot in this world is a hardship. The whole of history – who is victorious, who is downtrodden, is in the Lord’s hands.
Mary’s response to the loving action of God is to give praise and thanks. She is the lowly servant who acknowledged the favor of God, her Saviour, though she has been chosen as the earthly mother of the Saviour. This is the God of blessing, the God of reversals who raises the lowly and brings down the powerful from their
thrones. The Magnificat is Mary’s mission statement as a servant of God. She is in continuity with the faithful people of the past and the faith story of her people. Mary is a figure of hope for all of us who journey in faith. Even though she didn’t know where that journey would take her, she trusted that God knew. Also, Mary gives us a model of prayer, rooted in the past but open to the future. The prayer invites us to give time to recognize and ponder on the gifts we have received so that we can thank God for them. Perhaps I could write my own Magnificat and pray over it, recognizing the great things the Lord has done for me and through me.
Mary prayed her own Magnificat. She is full of praise. Her grateful heart overflows with thanksgiving. God is the great one in her life, working marvels beyond all imagining. Pride and humility are in the picture as Mary prays her Magnificat. With Mary, let's count our blessings, not as a matter of pride or achievement, but to recognize where God is at work in our life.
Can I write my own Magnificat today? For what do I want to give thanks to Him?
All this is very much in line with the picture of Jesus that Luke will show emerging as one reads through this gospel. It is a gospel where the poor, the weak, the marginalized, the outcast, and the sinful have a special place in the eyes of Jesus. This note will often be stuck in the preaching of Jesus - the humble will be exalted and the exalted will be humbled. And there are ‘beatitudes’ praising persons whose lot in this world is a hardship. The whole of history – who is victorious, who is downtrodden, is in the Lord’s hands.
Mary’s response to the loving action of God is to give praise and thanks. She is the lowly servant who acknowledged the favor of God, her Saviour, though she has been chosen as the earthly mother of the Saviour. This is the God of blessing, the God of reversals who raises the lowly and brings down the powerful from their
thrones. The Magnificat is Mary’s mission statement as a servant of God. She is in continuity with the faithful people of the past and the faith story of her people. Mary is a figure of hope for all of us who journey in faith. Even though she didn’t know where that journey would take her, she trusted that God knew. Also, Mary gives us a model of prayer, rooted in the past but open to the future. The prayer invites us to give time to recognize and ponder on the gifts we have received so that we can thank God for them. Perhaps I could write my own Magnificat and pray over it, recognizing the great things the Lord has done for me and through me.
Mary prayed her own Magnificat. She is full of praise. Her grateful heart overflows with thanksgiving. God is the great one in her life, working marvels beyond all imagining. Pride and humility are in the picture as Mary prays her Magnificat. With Mary, let's count our blessings, not as a matter of pride or achievement, but to recognize where God is at work in our life.
Can I write my own Magnificat today? For what do I want to give thanks to Him?
Prayer
Lord, give me Mary’s confidence and generosity of spirit. I ask not just to listen to your voice and do your will, but to do it joyfully and fearlessly. Let me answer your call with an exultant ‘Yes!’ because I know that my journey into the unknown will be made radiant by your transfiguring presence.
Lord, give me Mary’s confidence and generosity of spirit. I ask not just to listen to your voice and do your will, but to do it joyfully and fearlessly. Let me answer your call with an exultant ‘Yes!’ because I know that my journey into the unknown will be made radiant by your transfiguring presence.
Thought for the day:
“If the only prayer we ever say is thanks that will suffice.”- Meister Eckhart-German Theologian and Mystic.
Rev Mathew Samuel
Director, Mar Thoma College of Special Education, Kerala.