December 22, 2021

Lk 1: 46-56

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.

His mercy is for those who fear him

   from generation to generation.

He has shown strength with his arm;

   he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts.

He has brought down the powerful from their thrones,

   and lifted up the lowly;

he has filled the hungry with good things,

   and sent the rich away empty.

He has helped his servant Israel,

   in remembrance of his mercy,

according to the promise he made to our ancestors,

   to Abraham and to his descendants for ever.’

And Mary remained with her for about three months and then returned to her home.

New Revised Standard Version, copyright 1989, by the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved. USCCB approved. 

How Do You Respond to God’s Goodness?

Growing up, the thing that got me into the most trouble (like… a lot of trouble) was the crime of “it’s not what you said, it’s how you said it.”  And, admittedly, I’m still guilty of this crime. While the words we choose are important, so too is the way in which we express those words. Today’s Gospel isn’t just about what Mary said, it’s about how she said it. 

Recognizing God as the source of all goodness and blessings, Mary responds with praise, confidence, humility, generosity, and most importantly - joy. Mary’s Magnificat is not an eyes-lowered, head-bowed response from a timid woman. It is her bold declaration of joyful thanksgiving. 

How do you respond to God’s love and goodness? Is your response reluctant and hesitant? Or is it confident and jubilant? Today, reflect on the gifts and blessings for which you want to give God thanks - be mindful not only of what you say, but how you say it. 

—Jackie Schulte is the Dean of Faculty Formation and a history teacher at Creighton Preparatory School in Omaha, Nebraska.

 

Prayer 

In praise and thanksgiving,
let us rejoice as we await our Saviour,
Christ the Lord,
God-with-us,
Prince of peace.

For all the oracles of the prophets foretold him;
the Virgin Mary longed for him with love beyond all telling;
John the Baptist sang of his coming
and proclaimed his presence when he came.

It is by his gift that we already rejoice at the mystery of his nativity,
so that he may find us watchful in prayer
and exultant in his praise.
Amen

—Adapted from Advent Preface II

Please share the Good Word with your friends!