Magnificat

The Magnificat is such an amazing prayer. Here we see Mary, just recently informed that she is to be an unwed mother, in a society where such an occurrence is punishable by death, yet she is proclaiming God’s glory. She recognizes the gift that is the child inside of her, no matter what her station in life. If only the world today would see the same truth of all mothers. If only we could see the fullness of life in each unborn child, regardless of whether that child is ‘wanted’ by his or her own parents.

And despite this situation, Mary not only realizes the gift of that life, and the impact which it will have, she also proclaims that she will be called blessed. But she knows that such a title has nothing to do with her work, but with the work that God has done, and is doing, through her. If only we each could give the Lord such a fiat. If only we could each allow the Lord to work so unhindered in our own lives.

Mary recognizes the greatness of the Lord, his ability to turn life on its head, to make the impossible seem trivial, to bring down, and to lift up. She could easily complain about how He makes life more difficult, about how He is vengeful or harsh with his people. But Mary understands that God acts not out of cruelty to us, but out of mercy and love. If only we could understand the Lord’s mercy in our lives. If only we could remember that he has promised that he would be with us always, to the end of the age.

If we can trust in the Lord, as Mary shows her trust in Him in this glorious prayer, how much better our lives, and the lives of the world around us, might be.