The Gospel passage Luke 1:46-55 continues the story of the Visitation, the climax of Mary's journey to see her cousin Elizabeth, when they each find out that the other is pregnant by divine intervention. We can imagine that Mary made the trip partly to confirm the words of the Angel Gabriel that the aged Elizabeth is really pregnant, but also in search of moral support.
Elizabeth's exuberant greeting confirms all, concluding with the words "Blessed are you who believed that what was spoken to you by the Lord would be fulfilled."
Overcome with joy and relief, Mary speaks the most lines attributed to her in the Bible, which we know as the Magnificat:
"My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord;
my spirit rejoices in God my savior.
for he has looked upon his lowly servant.
From this day all generations will call me blessed:
the Almighty has done great things for me,
and holy is his Name.
He has mercy on those who fear him
in every generation.
He has shown the strength of his arm,
and has scattered the proud in their conceit.
He has cast down the mighty from their thrones
and has lifted up the lowly.
He has filled the hungry with good things,
and the rich he has sent away empty.
He has come to the help of his servant Israel
for he remembered his promise of mercy,
the promise he made to our fathers,
to Abraham and his children for ever."
What a gift and blessing that Mary should have her cousin Elizabeth to rejoice with and confide in, especially when her "unconventional" pregnancy could be a source of stress and shame! Together, they understood the enormity of what had happened to them, and their faith and joy eased the burden.
Mary's words are not only for herself, but for Israel awaiting a Messiah, and for all those who find themselves forgotten, oppressed, bewildered, or despairing. Line by line, Mary speaks in different ways the same affirmation: With (faith in) God, not ego, anything -- ANYTHING! -- is possible. |
