Gospel Reflection: Mary's Magnificat
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The Canticle of the Blessed Virgin Mary, most commonly known as “The Magnificat”, is my most favorite of the “evangelical canticles”. It is called Magnificat because that is the first word of the canticle in the Vulgate Bible’s Latin text: “Magnificat anima mea, Dominum”, etc. (My soul doth magnify the Lord, etc.). Mary worshiped God with these words, likely in a chant, after Elizabeth greeted her and referred to her as the “Mother of my Lord.” H. Henry describes it in The Catholic Encyclopedia as “… an ecstasy of praise for the inestimable favour bestowed by God on the Virgin, for the mercies shown to Israel, and for the fulfillment of the promises made to Abraham and to the patriarchs.” There is no doubt that these are the words of the Holy Spirit spoken through our Blessed Mother while in prayer. I’m sure Mary prayed this canticle to herself many times after the birth of her son as she faced many glorious and challenging times as Jesus’ mother. The gospel writer Luke sought to speak to eyewitnesses while researching his gospel and it is likely that he spoke with Mary herself about her experiences, including the day when these beautiful words took form in her lips.
The Magnificat is prayed daily as part of the Liturgy of the Hours during the Vespers or evening prayers. Praying or singing the Magnificat daily likely started in the 6th century from the time of St Benedict. The other two evangelical canticles prayed daily are the Canticle of Zachary (Luke 1:68–79) and the Canticle of Simeon (Luke 2:29–32). Just like many of the words from Jesus, the Magnificat borrows images and poetic content from various Old Testament passages, but primarily from the Song of Hannah (1 Sam 2:1–10) and Psalm 136. As a devout Jew, Marry likely memorized these and similar texts.
In the first part of the Magnificat Mary praises God for bringing us salvation through Jesus and for choosing her to give birth to the Messiah:
46 And Mary said,
“My soul magnifies the Lord,
47 and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
48 for he has looked with favor on the lowliness of his servant.
Every day we have an opportunity to be used by God to advance his Kingdom by doing his will. Are we sufficiently “walking humbly with God” to recognize his calling, his gentle nudges, and to help him in his work of salvation? Do we praise him for using us, lowly servants, to do this labor of love?
Mary then praises God for his power, holiness, and mercy across generations:
48 Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed;
49 for the Mighty One has done great things for me,
and holy is his name.
50 His mercy is for those who fear him
from generation to generation.
How often do we praise and thank God for been a merciful God and for forgiving our many trespasses? How well do we show similar mercy to those who ofend us?
Mary then praises God because through the birth of Jesus he has reversed the existing power structure. During his ministry, Jesus will promote what we now call social justice, as he will exalt the humble, the poor, and the hungry and he will heal them, feed them, and treat them with Divine dignity.
51 He has shown strength with his arm;
he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts.
52 He has brought down the powerful from their thrones,
and lifted up the lowly;
53 he has filled the hungry with good things,
and sent the rich away empty.
Today Jesus is still lifting the lowly and feeding the hungry…, through us. Are we collaborating with him?
Finally, Mary praises God for keeping the promise of salvation he gave to Abraham:
54 He has helped his servant Israel,
in remembrance of his mercy,
55 according to the promise he made to our ancestors,
to Abraham and to his descendants forever.
I pray the Magnificat during my Vespers prayers and this daily routine is like a comforting visit with our Blessed Mother, who inspires us and continues to guide us towards her son Jesus Christ.
References:
Henry, H. (1907–1913). Magnificat. In C. G. Herbermann, E. A. Pace, C. B. Pallen, T. J. Shahan, & J. J. Wynne (Eds.), The Catholic Encyclopedia: An International Work of Reference on the Constitution, Doctrine, Discipline, and History of the Catholic Church: Vols. I–XV. The Encyclopedia Press; The Universal Knowledge Foundation.
Hahn, S., ed. (2009). In Catholic Bible Dictionary (p. 566). Doubleday.
Tresham, A. K. (2016). Magnificat. In J. D. Barry, D. Bomar, D. R. Brown, R. Klippenstein, D. Mangum, C. Sinclair Wolcott, L. Wentz, E. Ritzema, & W. Widder (Eds.), The Lexham Bible Dictionary. Lexham Press.
Cross, F. L., & Livingstone, E. A., eds. (2005). In The Oxford dictionary of the Christian Church (3rd ed. rev., p. 1026). Oxford University Press.
