22 Dec, 2023 | Friday of the Thrid Week of Advent

 Gospel Lk 1:46-56

Praising God is a must .... 

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.

This song of our Blessed Mother comes as a response to Elizabeth praising and blessing her as we read in the gospel yesterday. Anyone in her place would be elated for having been chosen to be the mother of the Son of God. Mary instead if self-effacing, “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.” And if we look closely at the whole song, she magnifies God not only for what God has done in her life, but also for God’s merciful intervention in the life of her people, Israel. We are invited today to follow the example of Mary, to attribute all the good things to God, and to acknowledge that if there is anything good in our life, it is God’s pure gift, as St Paul says, “What do you have that you did not receive? And if you received it, why do you boast as if it were not a gift?” (1 Cor 4:7). Let us also keep in mind what Blessed James Alberione the founder of the Pauline Family says, “Everything is God's: everything leads us to the Magnificat.” 

Activity: 

Make a list of all the gifts and talents God has blessed with and compose a prayer of praise and thanksgiving