Extract
When Mary met Elizabeth, she proudly sang to the Lord – The Magnificat:
My soul glorifies the Lord,
my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour.
He looks on his servant in her lowliness;
henceforth all ages will call me blessed.
The Almighty works marvels for me.
Holy his name!
His mercy is from age to age,
on those who fear him.
He puts forth his arm in strength
and scatters the proud-hearted.
He casts the mighty from their thrones and raises the lowly.
He fills the starving with good things,
sends the rich away empty.
He protects Israel, his servant,
remembering his mercy,
the mercy promised to our fathers,
to Abraham and his sons forever. Amen. (Luke 1:46-56)
Thought
Mary, filled with the Holy Spirit and using many phrases borrowed from the Old Testament especially, Hannah’s song (1 Samuel 2:1-10), sang from her heart to God the Father while recognising her own unworthiness to be the Mother of Jesus.
Reflection
Heavenly Father, we also sing to you from our heart, knowing that You are our eternal salvation. “Glory to you our Almighty God,” we make this prayer in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Prayer: Teach Us (St Ignatius of Loyola)
Teach us Good Lord;
To serve you as you deserve;
To give and not to count the cost;
To fight and not to heed the wounds;
To toil and not to seek for rest;
To labour and to ask for no reward,
Save that of knowing we do your will.
