Word to the Wise
Thursday, December 22, 2011 -
[1 Samuel 1:24-28 and Luke 1:46-56]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 for ever.
Some songs are more significant than others. We humans designate certain songs like "national anthems," "alma mater's," "fight songs," as having importance to the extent that singing them requires special gestures such as standing, hats off, hands over the heart, etc. This is true in spiritual "songs" as well. In the celebration of Evening Prayer in the liturgy of the hours, it is customary to stand when we recite, or better, sing the Canticle of Mary, better known as the Magnificat. Yes, this is partially due to the fact that we always stand whenever something from the gospels is read, but that should not detract our attention from the content of the song. The Gospel of Luke uses this song as a tremendous interpretation of God's plan of salvation, realized in the person of the "handmaid of the Lord."
The line from the canticle quoted above is one example. God is praised for keeping the promise made to Abraham! Jesus is the fulfillment of that promise! Faithfulness is personified in the virgin, Mary, and so many of the figures in the "infancy narrative" of Luke, but faithfulness is celebrated in a special way in the song that Mary sings when she visits Elizabeth! The song celebrates justice and mercy as well and really merits a full reading today from us all. Many hymnals have musical settings. Find one and sing the song! AMEN
[special note: December 22, 2011 is the 795th birthday of the foundation of the friars of the Order of Preachers - Dominicans!]