VIII.
Today we are two days away from Christmas Day and again turn our attention to listening to Mary’s words of praise.

As you go to these words once again, listen to Mary. Use your imagination to hear her sing these words from her heart.

As you listen to Mary, remember these words come after she has been given a glimpse of her path and “Then Mary said, ‘Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word.’”

IX.
Luke 1:46-55 (New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition)

And Mary said,

“My soul magnifies the Lord,
      and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
for he has looked with favor on the lowly state 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;
indeed, 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 imagination 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 come to the aid of his child Israel,
      in remembrance of his mercy,
according to the promise he made to our ancestors,
      to Abraham and to his descendants forever.”

X.
What does Mary rejoice about?

She speaks of great things God does, of God’s holiness, of God’s strength, of God’s mercy and God’s lifting up the lowly.

Which of these speaks to you with the most force?

If (or when) you come to the place where you can say, “Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word,” what would your next words be?

charles
{ubi caritas et amor, Deus ibi est}