22-Dec-15

Gospel LK 1:46-56
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:
"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."
Here is the spontaneous expression of joy and truth that erupt from Mary, a young girl overwhelmed by the realization of the goodness and truth of her Creator who chose her to bring Christ into the world.
I, too, know the truth of Mary's words about God. There was a time in my life when I was filled with pride; I was "cast down" in my conceit. And once having been brought low, I was lifted up again by Christ.
".........he remembered his promise of mercy, the promise he made to our fathers, to Abraham and his children for ever.”
Ever merciful, God has kept the promise He made to mankind by sending His only Son through the humble acceptance of a pure soul named Mary. Jesus, the presence of mercy on earth made possible by a woman with a childlike faith.
Like the tax collector in the Gospel of Luke, I stand far off from the altar and with eyes cast down, I say, "God, be merciful to me a sinner." Luke 18:13
"Mercy is the force that reawakens us to new life and instills in us the courage to look forward to the future with hope." Pope Francis