Word to the Wise
Thursday, December 22, 2022 - December 22
[1 Sam 1:24-28 and Luke 1:46-56]"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 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." [Luke]
The Canticle of Mary (a/k/a The Magnificat) is recited or sung every day in the Liturgy of the Hours at Evening Prayer. It is also celebrated in art and music, taking on a life of its own. Scripture scholars point out that the evangelist has mined the Old Testament for the canticle, providing a kind of history of salvation in one song of praise. But, in this season, the canticle becomes more personal to Mary, the mother of Jesus, who becomes the manifestation of the divine promise and purpose. Her pregnancy captures the spirit of patience and expectation that characterized the hopes and expectations in Israel and elsewhere. St. Paul captures this in his Letter to the Romans when he speaks of all creation being in labor! (Romans 8:22).
Maternal care in the best of circumstances, let alone in a stable, is a challenge to both mom and dad, but mom clearly plays the initial leading role. (cf. the story of Jesus' disappearance: "Son, why have you done this to us?"). The beauty of the many forms of the nativity scene should not blind us to the challenge facing the "promise keepers" in the stable that becomes a makeshift maternity ward!! We who are the beneficiaries of Mary's participation in God's plan may join her in the pre-natal celebration of The Magnificat by remembering God's promise and celebrating it with her. AMEN