‘My soul magnifies the Lord,
and my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour,
for he has looked with favour
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 for ever.’
Magnificat
James Tissot, 1890
In the passage from Luke 1:46-55, we see the beautiful and powerful words of the Virgin Mary as she sings her Magnificat. This passage is a reminder of the incredible love and grace of God, and the way that he chooses to work through the most unlikely of people.
As Mary sings, she speaks of the ways in which God has lifted up the lowly and brought down the mighty. This is a reminder of the radical inclusivity of God's love, and the way that he reaches out to all people, regardless of their social status or circumstances.
Mary also speaks of the mercy of God, and the way that he has shown favor to those who are poor and in need. This is a reminder of the importance of compassion and kindness in our own lives, and the need to always be seeking to help those who are less fortunate than ourselves.
In this passage, we see the humility and grace of Mary as she recognizes the incredible things that God has done for her, and the way that he has chosen her to be the mother of his son. This is a reminder of the power of faith, and the way that it can inspire us to greatness, even in the face of great odds.
As we reflect on this passage, let us remember the words of Mary and be inspired to live our lives with the same humility, grace, and compassion. Let us seek to follow the example of Mary and always be open to the incredible things that God can do through us, if we are willing to trust in him.