Gospel Reading for December 22, 2023 – Luke 1: 46-56
WORTHIEST
Mary said:
“My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord;
my spirit rejoices in God my savior.
For he has looked upon his handmaid’s lowliness;
behold, from now on will all ages call me blessed.
The Mighty One has done great things for me,
and holy is his name.
His mercy is from age to age
to those who fear him.
He has shown might with his arm,
dispersed the arrogant of mind and heart.
He has thrown down the rulers from their thrones
but lifted up the lowly.
The hungry he has filled with good things;
the rich he has sent away empty.
He has helped Israel his servant, remembering
his mercy, according to his promise
to our fathers, to Abraham and
to his descendants forever.”
Mary remained with her about three months and then returned to her home.
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When Elizabeth saw Mary, she cried out in a loud voice and said “Most blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. And how does this happen to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?”
And, this was Mary’s reaction which is popularly known as The Magnificat. Instead of bragging how very qualified she was to be the mother of the Saviour, the Son of God, she instead, magnified the Lord. By her Magnificat, we see how well she knew God, how well she saw God’s movement in the history of her people to fulfill His plan of salvation, and how very special her relationship was with God. Again, one of the qualities that make her the WORTHIEST of all mothers to be the mother of our Saviour!
All of us are given special gifts by God for the continuation of Jesus’ work of salvation. May we be like Mary, who knew fully well that all glory belongs to Him alone and all of us are just instruments in this great work!
Thank you Lord for your gifts. May we use them well, all for your greater glory!
