Daily Reflection – Dec 22, 2015
Tuesday 22 December 2015
First Reading: 1 Samuel 1:24-28
Psalm Response:
My heart rejoices in the Lord, my Saviour
1 Samuel 2:1, 4-8
Gospel Acclamation:
O King of all nations and keystone of the Church:
come and save man, whom you formed from the dust!
Gospel Reading: Luke 1:46-56
Today’s Note: Tuesday of the Fourth Week of Advent
Gospel Reading:
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.”
Mary remained with Elizabeth about three months
and then returned to her home.
Reflection:
A Mother’s Song
Hannah’s song is a song by a mother who laments her childlessness. The song moves from sadness to joy when her lament turns to praise in the Lord. The Lord has brought about in her a reversal of fortune. She will conceive and bear a son, Samuel.
The Magnificat (Mary’s song of praise) strongly echoes Hannah’s song. Both celebrate a birth not only miraculous but also of great significance in God’s story of salvation.
Mary, and Hannah before her rejoice in the ways in which God’s saving actions focus upon justice and the redressing of wrongs and inequality. Mary sings about an active and countercultural God who turns things upside down from the status quo.
At times we focus our praise on God’s gifts that we ourselves enjoy. In this season of Advent, let us use the Magnificat as a prayer for justice for the poor and oppressed (e.g. refugees and asylum seekers, indigenous peoples and the homeless).
