Sunday, December 16, 2007

DAY SIXTEEN: Mary's Blessings

And Mary said,
‘My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour,
for he has looked with favour on the lowliness of his servant.
Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed;
for the Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is his name.'

In her song we call the Magnificat, Mary first praises God for his personal blessings.

She begins by rejoicing in God as her Savior. Having been chosen to give birth to the Messiah, Mary praises God by expressing her joyous trust in the salvation he is bringing her. Though selected for the highest vocation any human could fulfill, at the same time she took her place before God with all people as a sinner in need of his grace, forgiveness and justification.

She continues by marveling in the great privileges God has granted her. Though Mary was a simple country maiden without position or privilege, God in his divine favor has bestowed upon her the title of "Mother of the Lord." Though she would have otherwise lived a quiet, obscure life, Mary recognizes that this assignment will give her a notable place in salvation history, and all generations will call her "the blessed one" who was given such honor.

Mary concludes by giving all the credit to God. He is the Mighty One who did all these great things for her. He alone is the Holy One who has magnified his name in and through this faithful woman.

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