God Lifts the Lowly

Justice, Law, History Justice, Vengence, Mercy Live in the light of God (Isaiah 2:5)  Luke 1:46-55 New International Version Mary's Song 46 And Mary said: "My soul glorifies the Lord 47     and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, 48 for he has been mindful     of the humble state of his servant. From now on, all generations will call me blessed, 49     for the Mighty One has done great things for me—     holy is his name. 50 His mercy extends to those who fear him,     from generation to generation. 51 He has performed mighty deeds with his arm;     he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts. 52 He has brought down rulers from their thrones     but has lifted up the humble. 53 He has filled the hungry with good things     but has sent the rich away empty. 54 He has helped his servant Israel,     remembering to be merciful 55 to Abraham and his descendants forever,     just as he promised our ancestors."   For Reflection "The Magnificat is a revolutionary song of salvation whose political, economic, and social dimensions cannot be blunted. People in  Need in every society hear a blessing in this canticle. The battered woman, the single parent without resources, those without food on the table or without even a table, the homeless family, the young abandoned to  their own devices, the old who are discarded: all are encompassed in the hope Mary proclaims." – Sister Elizabeth Johnson, 2 12 "The Magnificat was banned [from] being sung or read in India under British rule. In the 1980s, it was banned in Guatemala. In addition, after the Mothers of the Plaza de Mayo—whose children all  disappeared during the Dirty War (1976-1983)—placed the Magnificat's words on posters throughout the capital plaza, the military junta of Argentina outlawed any public display of Mary's song." – The Subversive Magnificat: What Mary Expected The Messiah To Be Like We tend to spiritualize The Christ event. We pretend That Jesus arrived to save us. And all the while we sin and accept sinning, we expect that God's grace and mercy will prevent our self-imposed eternal damnation. But in doing so, do we also miss the point? Do we avoid the fact that God wants us to do for ourselves what we want God to do for us? God has given us the capacity to live in harmony with God, God's creation, and each other. God has also given us Jesus to show us how to fulfill God's will for peace, justice, and joy. In this light, Rev. Carolyn Sharp says, "Mary's courageous song of praise [becomes] a radical resource for those seeking to honor the holy amid the suffering and conflicts of real life." Mary sang for downtrodden Isreal. Not even she understood that God would not take vengeance on Rome. Instead, God has shown us how to defeat all the Romes now and in the future if we only dared to trust in his command. Pray Pray and let the Holy Spirit guide your life. Pray about the world's injustices. Pray and take up the cross. Pray and Act in the Way of Jesus. Pray and prepare for the difficult road ahead. Pray and welcome the comfort and counsel of the Holy Spirit. Pray, "Father, I place my life in your hands." AMEN Forward to a friend