The Mighty One has done great things for me, Holy is his Name! From age to age, his mercy
extends to those who live in his presence. He has acted with power and done wonders, and
scattered the proud with their plans.
He has put down the mighty from their thrones, and lifted up those who are downtrodden.
He has filled the hungry with good things, but has sent the rich away empty.
He held out his hand to Israel, his servant, for he remembered his mercy, even as he promised
to our fathers, to Abraham and his descendants forever.” Mary remained with Elizabeth about
three months, and then returned home.
Reflect:
On August 15, we reflected on how powerful Mary’s Magnificat was. It was so potent that it
shook earthly powers in several countries. Here is a reflection from Dietrich Bonhoeffer on
the power of her Magnificat: “The song of Mary is the oldest Advent hymn. It is at once the
most passionate, the wildest, one might even say the most revolutionary Advent hymn
ever sung. This is not the gentle, tender, dreamy Mary whom we sometimes see in paintings;
this is the passionate, surrendered, proud, enthusiastic Mary who speaks out here…. This
song… is a hard, strong, inexorable song about collapsing thrones and humbled lords of
this world, about the power of God and the powerlessness of humankind. These are the tones
of the women prophets of the Old Testament that now come to life in Mary's mouth.” Today,
compose your own Magnificat, giving voice to the wonders God has worked in your life.
© Copyright Bible Diary 2022