Dear friends in Christ,
This Saturday, the church celebrates the Feast of Saint Mary the Virgin, Mother of Our Lord Jesus Christ. The Gospel reading is the Magnificat:
Mary said, “My soul magnifies the Lord,
and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
for he has looked with favor on the lowliness of his servant.
Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed;
for the Mighty One has done great things for me,
and holy is his name.
His mercy is for those who fear him
from generation to generation.
He has shown strength with his arm;
he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts.
He has brought down the powerful from their thrones,
and lifted up the lowly;
he has filled the hungry with good things,
and sent the rich away empty.
He has helped his servant Israel,
in remembrance of his mercy,
according to the promise he made to our ancestors,
to Abraham and to his descendants forever.”
As I read this inspiring text this year, two thoughts come to mind. First, at a time when there are those who claim that faith in Jesus Christ is about making the strong even stronger, this hymn reminds us that God’s values are about lifting up the lowly and casting down the mighty. Second, it’s easy to misread this as a to-do list, and there’s no downside to feeding the hungry or scattering the proud, to be sure.
But this hymn is about God’s deeds in the past seen as a promise for God’s deeds in the future. For Christians, God’s past performance is a guarantee of God’s future deeds. Here we remember all the glorious things God has done not in a sentimental way but in a bold, future-facing way. We are meant, I think, to be inspired to rejoice in the triumph of God’s grace and mercy over sin, evil, and death.
Mary’s courage in accepting her vocation as the mother of Jesus Christ is astonishing. On Saturday, we can give thanks for her witness, for her courage, and for her presence with us in the communion of saints.
Yours faithfully,
Scott Gunn
Executive Director
More from our ministry:
Which woman in the Bible speaks the most? (Not Mary!) Find out in Bible Women
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