34th Week in Ordinary Time (C) : Monday 21st November 2022

Magnificat anima mea Dominum (Latin), “My soul magnifies the Lord” (v 46) – this is the opening line for Mary’s hymn praising God for His choice of her to be the mother of Jesus Christ.

Who is Mary? A young and discerning woman. She was aware of herself as God’s ‘doule’ (a ‘female slave’,      v 28 in Greek, – the original language of the New Testament), a totally submissive person belonging to another. She was aware of being someone of “nothingness” (v 48), i.e., someone who is socially and economically deprived, and yet the “Almighty works marvels for me” (v 49). She was also aware that she is not the only one receiving God’s grace, for she acknowledges that those “who fear God” will receive God’s mercy (v 50); that “the lowly” will be raised up (v 52) and that the “starving” will be filled “with good things” (v 53).

Through Mary’s Magnificat, we have a magnified view of God, especially that of God Who is “Saviour” (v 47); Who is “Almighty” (v 49); Whose name is “Holy” (v 49); Whose “mercy is from age to age”; and Who “protects” (v 54). In addition, the Magnificat is clear that God will not hesitate to scatter the proud-hearted (v 51), to cast the mighty from their thrones (v 52), and to send the rich away empty (v 53) – probably a word of warning for neglecting in their midst, the lowly, the powerless, and the poor.

Today, like Mary, let us glorify the Lord and rejoice in God, our Saviour.

Lord, help us do Your will.