December 22 2020 - Advent Magnificat

 

These final days of Advent are particularly Marian. Her faith, her wonder, her humility help us to prepare well, with faith, wonder, and humility, for the celebration of the Nativity. Yesterday, we heard how, after the annunciation, she in haste goes in charity to help her cousin Elizabeth. When Mary arrived, we heard of the incredible wonder of Elizabeth, a wonder that even filled John the Baptist in utero, who leapt in joy. 

Mary’s own wonder, joy, and gratitude erupts into this great song of praise to God, her Magnificat. 

Since Seminary, I’ve prayed the Magnificat every day. The Canticle of Mary as it is sometimes called, is part of the Church’s official Evening Prayer, prayed every day by priests and religious on behalf of the Church all over the world.  No matter what time of day it is, two things are true.  Somewhere in the world a priest is celebrating Mass, and he is praying his breviary.  So along with the other prayers of the Church, the Magnificat is being sung all day, every day throughout the world.  

I’ve known priests to burst into the Magnificat at times of great joy in their own lives. This is possible because they’ve internalized the words of our Lady here.  The memorization of a prayer, a pslam, or another line of scripture can be a powerful thing, and can help us give expression to our religious sentiments.

In fact, Mary’s Magnificat was a paraphrasing of an earlier line of scripture from the first book of Samuel—called the canticle of Hannah.  Hannah, who was barren, conceived in her old age, offers a song of thanksgiving to God because she bore a son despite her barrenness.  She praises God as the helper of the weak, who casts down the mighty and raises up the lowly, and who alone is the source of true strength. The Canticle of Hannah was richly inspired by earlier verses of scripture,  from the Torah.

Throughout Advent I’ve been recommending sitting down daily with the Scriptures, for in them we find sentiments which open up new vistas in our soul’s relationship with God. The Scriptures help us to put into words the ineffable—the experience of God that is often beyond words. It deepens the soul—making our relationship with God less superficial.

Mary’s Magnificat is a result of a matured faith—one that has pondered the words and works of God—and has acted upon them. 

In these last Advent days, take the time, perhaps to memorize a line of scripture that gives expression to what you are going through and consider how God is speaking to you through that line of his holy word, what he is asking of you, how he is calling you to respond with deeper faith that your soul along with Our Lady’s may magnify his holy name for the glory of God and salvation of souls.

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We raise up our prayers of petitions, as we await with longing the Advent of Christ the Lord.

That all peoples of the earth may come to believe in God as the source of all life, goodness, and blessing.

For the protection of the unborn, and the overturning of all laws lacking respect for the dignity of human life.

That those struggling with winter depression or addiction may find peace and joy in Christ.

That Christ may banish disease, drive out hunger, ward off every affliction, and strengthen all who suffer persecution for the sake of the Gospel.

For all who have died, and for all the poor souls in purgatory, and for X. for whom this Mass is offered.

Incline your merciful ear to our prayers, we ask, O Lord, and listen in kindness to the supplications of those who call on you. Through Christ our Lord.