Gospel in Art - Mary said: 'My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord

Magnificat Wall, Church of the Visitation, Ein Karen, 42 translations of the Magnificat © Christian Art

Source: Christian Art

Gospel of 22 December 2023
Luke 1:46-56

Mary said: 'My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord and my spirit exults in God my saviour; because he has looked upon his lowly handmaid.

Yes, from this day forward all generations will call me blessed, for the Almighty has done great things for me.

Holy is his name, and his mercy reaches from age to age for those who fear him.

He has shown the power of his arm, he has routed the proud of heart. He has pulled down princes from their thrones and exalted the lowly. The hungry he has filled with good things, the rich sent empty away.

He has come to the help of Israel his servant, mindful of his mercy - according to the promise he made to our ancestors - of his mercy to Abraham and to his descendants for ever.'

Mary stayed with Elizabeth about three months and then went back home.

Reflection on the Magnificat Wall

Today's reading follows straight on from yesterday's reading of Mary visiting Elizabeth. And within the context of this visit, Mary says her great Magnificat prayer. When Elizabeth greeted Mary, she declared Mary blessed. Mary's response in turn was to praise God, 'My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour'. Her prayer sprung from an event in her life, a visit to her relative. This can be true of our prayer too. Our prayer, like Mary's, tends to be rooted in our lives. It is often the case that our prayer is rooted in the pain and struggle of our life. We find ourselves in some dark or difficult situation, and we cry to God for help. Or even in moments of great joy, like Mary, we tend to want to give paise to the Lord's goodness. That is what this beautiful magnificat prayer is: a prayer of thanksgiving for all the goodness that the Lord has done for us.

Why this is such a powerful prayer is that the prayer highlights how Mary's relationship with God may be personal, but it is not private. She shared her words with the world. It is the same for all of us. God comes to us through the new people, new neighbours, a homeless person in the street, the church. Our relationship with God is, hopefully, personal, but it is not private... it is always communal!

The photograph shows the Magnificat wall at the Church of the Visitation in Ein Karem, Jerusalem, the site where tradition tells us that Mary recited her song of praise, the Magnificat. The wall outside the church is inset with forty-two ceramic tablets bearing the verses of the Magnificat in as many different languages, highlighting the true universality of our Church, a communal church. Sadly this site probably doesn't have many (or any) visitors these days seeing the Israel-Gaza conflict. We pray today especially for a quick resolution, peace and permanent cease-fire.

LINKS

Gospel in Art: https://christian.art/
Today's Reflection: https://christian.art/daily-gospel-reading/luke-1-46-56-2023/