Luke 1:46-56
46 And Mary said: "My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord;
47 my spirit rejoices in God my savior.
48 For he has looked upon his handmaid's lowliness; behold, from now on will all ages call me blessed.
49 The Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is his name.
50 His mercy is from age to age to those who fear him.
51 He has shown might with his arm, dispersed the arrogant of mind and heart.
52 He has thrown down the rulers from their thrones but lifted up the lowly.
53 The hungry he has filled with good things; the rich he has sent away empty.
54 He has helped Israel his servant, remembering his mercy,
55 according to his promise to our fathers, to Abraham and to his descendants forever."
56 Mary remained with her about three months and then returned to her home.
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Elizabeth has just greeted Mary as the Mother of the Lord, telling her that she and the fruit of her womb are blessed. Mary responds with a humility that is pretty much unknown in today's world. She directs praise and glory to the Father, she calls herself a servant, and she sings a song of praise to the Lord in a style and beauty equal to the greatest of the Psalms.
(ASIDE: I hadn't thought of it before this morning, but that's very fitting. David wrote most of the Psalms, and within Mary is the fruition of the ancient covenant made with David. )
What is it like to see a person whose soul proclaims (some translations say "magnifies") the greatness of the Lord? A person whose spirit rejoices in God? What is that person like?
I'm still working on that answer.
Up until the last two years, I hadn't pursued any kind of relationship with the Blessed Virgin. I even hit a point in my life where I thought I didn't need her. The bible says that there is one mediator between God and man, so why should I need the Blessed Mother? I can go directly to the Father, just as Christ said.
What a mistake. Of epic proportions.
Fortunately she didn't give up on me. After spending some time with my CRHP brothers, I began to see that she really makes a difference in people's lives. I didn't understand how, but I could definitely see the results in the people around me. I asked for help from them, so I could get some of what they had. One of my brothers gave me a Rosary. I started to say it, and to prayerfully ask the Lord to show me the Blessed Virgin. The relationship began to grow.
Do me a favor .... If you don't have a relationship with the Blessed Virgin, learn from my mistake. Ask the Lord to show her to you. You won't be disappointed -- her soul magnifies the greatness of the Lord.
