Monday
And Mary said: “My soul praises the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my savior, for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed, for the Mighty One has done great things for me – holy is his name.
His mercy extends to those who fear him, from generation to generation. He has performed mighty deeds with his arm; he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts. He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble. He has filled the hungry with good things but has sent the rich away empty.
He has helped his servant Israel, remembering to be merciful to Abraham and his descendants forever, even as he said to our fathers.”
(Luke 1:46-55, NIV)
Mary’s song is one of four hymns recorded in the first two chapters of Luke. We read Zechariah’s song yesterday and the angels’ song will follow tomorrow. Simeon’s song of praise when Jesus enters the temple to be circumcised is the fourth preserved by Luke and will be devotional text on Wednesday.
This song bursts from Mary’s lips during her visit to the home of her relative Elizabeth, the pregnant mother of John the Baptist. After Elizabeth tells Mary that her fetus leaped for joy at the sound of Mary’s greeting, the young mother speaks these words. Biblical scholars have noted the close parallel between Mary’s song and the song of Hannah, the mother of Samuel, recorded in I Samuel 2:1-10. Both songs speak of the Lord’s mighty actions in history, how he will scatter the proud and lift up the humble. The hungry will be fed, but the rich sent away empty. For poor Christians, these words bring great hope; for wealthy Christians, these words can be troubling.
Mary is summarizing the principal themes of many Old Testament prophecies in her song. Jesus, the Prince of Shalom, is going to fulfill all that had been promised and that is an occasion to celebrate.
Prayer
God of the Covenant, we praise you for keeping your promises. We thank you for the words of Mary’s song that remind us again of the great things you have done for us. Amen.