The Gospel for December 23, 2004
Luke 1:39-56
Mary set out at that time and went as quickly as she could into the hill country to a town in Judah. She went into Zechariah’s house and greeted Elizabeth. Now it happened that as soon as Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the child leapt in her womb and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. She gave a loud cry and said, ‘Of all women you are the most blessed, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. Why should I be honoured with a visit from the mother of my Lord? Look, the moment your greeting reached my ears, the child in my womb leapt for joy. Yes, blessed is she who believed that the promise made her by the Lord would be fulfilled.’ And Mary said: My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour; because he has looked upon the humiliation of his servant. Yes, from now onwards all generations will call me blessed, for the Almighty has done great things for me. Holy is his name, and his faithful love extends age after age to those who fear him. He has used the power of his arm, he has routed the arrogant of heart. He has pulled down princes from their thrones and raised high the lowly. He has filled the starving with good things, sent the rich away empty. He has come to the help of Israel his servant, mindful of his faithful love —according to the promise he made to our ancestors—of his mercy to Abraham and to his descendants for ever. Mary stayed with her some three months and then went home. -- The New Jerusalem Bible. Garden City, N.Y.: Doubleday, 1995, c1985
A Study
Magnificat has been a principal song of praise for the Church for centuries. It expresses the hopes of Abraham's descendants for fulfilment of the promises made to them about a new David, to be announced by a new Elijah. The mothers of the two are described as being acutely aware of the intended futures of their sons.
A Reflection
This text represents a promise somehow understood by a 13-year-old girl about the intent of YHWH in the girl's impossible pregnancy, spoken in the past tense. It is almost incomprehensible that this is a quote from Mary, but certainly fits into the mindset of the writers of the gospel attributed to Luke, written sometime after the destruction of the Temple -- and looking forward to the next coming, in Glory.
A Collect
Almighty God, you gave us the possibility of life with you through the birth, life, and sacrifice of your son; help our hearts to know and love Him as you would wish. Amen
7:33:35 PM 
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