Daily Mass Gospel Reflection- Magnifi-cent Mary

Word on Fire Ministry ^ | 12.22.21 | Aux. Bishop R. Barron

[MurphsLaw]

Fourth Week of Advent

Luke 1:46-56

Friends, in today’s Gospel, we hear the Magnificat—Mary’s great hymn of praise to Yahweh.

The hymn commences with the simple declaration, "My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord." Mary announces here that her whole being is ordered to the glorification of God. Her ego wants nothing for itself; it wants only to be an occasion for giving honor to God. But since God needs nothing, whatever glory Mary gives to him returns to her benefit, so that she is magnified in the very act of magnifying him. In giving herself away fully to God, Mary becomes a superabundant source of life; indeed, she becomes pregnant with God.

This odd and wonderful rhythm of magnifying and being magnified is the key to understanding everything about Mary, from her divine motherhood, to her Assumption and Immaculate Conception, to her mission in the life of the Church.

Reflect: Bishop Barron describes Mary in this way: "Her ego wants nothing for itself; it wants only to be an occasion for giving honor to God." Reflect on this fundamental model of discipleship.

[MurphsLaw]

+++Mary said:

“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.”

Mary remained with Elizabeth about
three months
and then returned to her home.+++