O King of all nations, keystone of the Church: come and save us, whom you formed from the dust!
O Antiphon: O King of all nations and keystone of the Church:
come and save man, whom you formed from the dust!
Today’s Reading: Lk 1:46-5
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 for ever….”
Reflection: The Song of Mary, today’s Gospel, are some of the most oft-recited Bible verses, a key part of the daily prayer of the Church. Why? Because in it Mary situates herself clearly in the prophetic tradition, the tradition that announces God’s justice to the world. No longer do we see Mary (Miriam) as an unwitting (though willing) teen, but rather we see her as a young one well-versed, and faithful, in her Jewish religious tradition. She will pass along this prophetic faith to her son, Jesus. Here’s a point of reflection: How do you and I name our faith, then, through the grace of God, pass it along to those around us?
Let us pray: God you have formed me from dust, have given me life itself. Help me, like Mary, to cherish the life that I have, and to cherish the lives of others, from conception till natural death.