Throughout these days of Late Advent, our Gospel readings are taken from the first chapter of Luke’s Gospel: God's immediate preparations for the birth of His Son.
We read of the Archangel coming to Zechariah and the birth and naming of John the Baptist. We read next of the Archangel coming to Mary to announce God’s plan for her to become the Mother of the Son of God. Yesterday’s Gospel introduced Mary’s visit to Elizabeth, and how the infant John the Baptist leapt in Elizabeth’s womb. And today we read Mary’s song—her Magnificat.
The first part of the Marian canticle (cf. Lk 1: 46-50) is a sort of solo voice that rises to Heaven to reach the Lord. "My soul... my spirit... my Savior... has done great things for me... [they] will call me blessed...". Mary has a unique role in the story of Jesus’ birth, of course, as his mother. She offers praise, thanksgiving and grateful joy to God over the incarnation.
She is mater et magistra, mother and teacher—she teaches us by her prayerful example. To prepare well for the celebration of Jesus’ birth at Christmas, we are to turn like her to God in prayerful praise, thanksgiving, and grateful joy. Have you allowed your soul, your spirit, to resonate with praise, thanksgiving, and joy this Advent? If not, it’s not too late. Learn from Mary’s example. What great things has God done for you? Have you praised and thanked God for them sufficiently, have you rejoiced in what God has done in your life, sufficiently?
And then Mary continues to sing God’s praises, particularly how through her cooperation with God and through the incarnation God has brought about the greatest reversal in history: the overthrow of the mighty and the exaltation of the humble.
This poor unknown virgin from this poor insignificant town is now has become the most blessed of all women. And her son, who will be born in a poor, filthy stable, is the king of Kings and Lord of Lords.
And here is the invitation, the choice, the most important choice of our lives…whose side will you be on? As history unfolds, will you seek to be counted among the mighty and the rich and the powerful of the world? Or will you seek to be among the lowly followers of Christ—those who humble themselves in order to bow down and worship Him? Will you turn away from all that is unworthy of Him—all arrogant speech, all selfishness, all grasping at riches, all self-exaltation in order to humble bow to Him and Him alone, for the glory of God and the salvation of souls.
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As we await with longing the Advent of our Lord Jesus Christ, we raise up our prayers of petitions.
That Christ may visit his holy Church and always find her repentant of sin and watchful in prayer.
That Christ may fill the Pope, our Bishop, and all the clergy with spiritual gifts and graces.
That Christ may guide the minds of those who govern us to promote the common good according to His Holy Will.
That Christ may banish disease, drive out hunger, and ward off every affliction.
For all who have died, and for all the poor souls in purgatory, and for X. for whom this Mass is offered.
Almighty ever-living God, who bring salvation to all and desire that no one should perish, hear the prayers of your people and grant that the course of our world may be directed by your peaceful rule and your Church rejoice in tranquility and devotion. Through Christ our Lord.
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