REFLECTIONS ON THE MAGNIFICAT
(Luke 1:46-55) -- by Kay Kolb & Pat Miller
The song of Mary borrows
extensively from the song of Hannah in 1 Samuel 2:1-10. The themes,
phrases, and focus of both stories center on two women--handmaids--servants/slaves--poor
women--who praise God for his continued goodness to them.
Mary's song is a mosaic of thoughts repeated again in Luke's account
of the Beatitudes in the ministry of Jesus. Its many themes touch
people's real lives, often in life and death situations, and it
has thus been used by numerous people in crisis, at moments of
opportunity when choices in life are difficult and life-changing:
- the strong belief in God's mercy;
- God's concern for the poor and lowly,
- an attitude of mind and heart that depends on God,
- awareness that oppressors are ousted, and thus
- a built-in warning to check one's own tendency to oppress,
- a struggle for justice that does not lead to becoming what
we hate.
Such powerful ideas are universally human and occur and reoccur
in many places in Jewish and Christian holy books as well as in
the writings of all of the world's religions.
No wonder Jesus asked his disciples a number of times, "Don't you
have eyes to see, ears to hear?"
Sources:
McKenzie, John L. Dictionary of the Bible
Brown, Raymond. The Coming Christ in Advent
Sider, Ronald. Rich Christians in an Age of Hunger
Stuhlmueller, Carroll. Biblical Meditations for the Advent
and Christmas Season
Commentaries:
Rev. R. Roy Baines, St. David's Episcopal:
"The
Birth of the Messiah."
Sally Cunneen, Catholic feminist scholar
"In
Search of Mary": A mosaic in the Jewish
tradition of justice and prophecy.
Brother Barnabas: Ronald D. Curley
Of St. Anthony's Retreat; Florence,
Montana
"The
Magnificat of Mary, Our Mother"
Rabbi Geoffrey Dennis; Kol Ami Congregation, Flower Mound
"Luke's
rendering recalls Old Testament traditions."
Rev. Alton Donsbach, ret. pastor of St. Paul Lutheran:
Reflections
on the Magnificat
Kay Kolb & Pat Miller, School Sisters of Notre Dame:
"Its
many themes touch people's real lives."
