Daily Scripture Reflection & Prayer: December 22, 2023

Date: Friday of the 3rd Week of Advent  

Scripture Text:  Luke 1:46-56

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 forever."

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

Breaking the text open – background and summary:

 Today’s gospel reading is Mary’s “Magnificat” recounted in the Gospel of Luke. At the heart of Mary’s hymn is the LORD’s care for the lowly and humble. As we ponder the Christmas story and the choice of Mary as the mother of Christ, the LORD surprises us; Mary is not one we humans would have even considered. Who was she, after all? She had no title, no fame; she was not of royal birth. We are reminded again through this prayer that the LORD regularly chooses differently than we as humans do. The choice of Mary as the mother of the almighty Father’s only begotten son reminds us that the LORD finds favor with “poor in spirit” – those who love the LORD and are willing to profess their reliance upon the LORD.

Meditating on the text with personal questions:

Do I daily consider my reliance upon the LORD? Do I embrace it not as an onus but as the gift it is?

Praying:

LORD, Almighty Father, You chose the blessed virgin, Mary, to be the mother of your Son, Jesus, a woman without title, without acclaim, because of her humility and love of You. As we prepare for the celebration of Christmas, the celebration of your Son coming among us, dwelling among us, as one of us, grant that we may do wo with all humility. Send your Spirit to stir within our hearts so that we might ask, “Who are we that the LORD would love us so?” Help us, LORD, to cast aside the pride that hardens our hearts and minds. We ask this in the name of your Son, Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with You and the Spirit, one LORD, forever and ever. Amen.