And Mary said, ‘My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has looked with favor 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. His mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation. He has shown strength with his arm; he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts. He has brought down the powerful from their thrones and lifted up the lowly; he has filled the hungry with good things and sent the rich away empty. He has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy, according to the promise he made to our ancestors, to Abraham and to his descendants forever.’ Luke 1:46-55
Today is the feast day of Mary who said yes to the Lord and risked everything for the child she carried. We often think of her still as a young woman, yet we know she was at the foot of the cross and was often with her son Jesus and his disciples. Her life was one of sacrifice, a life that many women freely offer so their children might survive and thrive. She protected him as a child and cajoled him into his first miracle. She lived her life so that God might be glorified, despite the pain and suffering, the years of being a refugee, the shunning of her community and all those who gossiped about her and her family. May we too be courageous as Mary, knowing the world will not understand, yet God will continue to bless us.
Marvelous Creator, you chose a young woman
to carry, nurture and protect the savior of the world
called her to a life of sacrifice, pain and challenge
and always she said yes with joy in her heart.
Too often we are undone by small challenges
too often we see ourselves as overburdened
we feel sorry for ourselves and cry out to you
yet you are carrying us and restoring us always.
Make us courageous and humble like Mary
may we not be broken by the cruelty of the world
yet joyfully carry you love to our broken world
and praise and rejoice in your love as Mary did. Amen
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