Mary's Song

It may be that in reading Luke you came across the beautiful words of Mary, the mother of Jesus, in her song to God.

"My soul glorifies the Lord
and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
for he has been mindful
of the humble state of his servant.
From now on all generations will call me blessed,
for the Mighty One has done great things for me—
holy is his name.
His mercy extends to those who fear him,
from generation to generation.
He has performed mighty deeds with his arm;
he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts.
He has brought down rulers from their thrones
but has lifted up the humble.
He has filled the hungry with good things
but has sent the rich away empty.
He has helped his servant Israel,
remembering to be merciful
to Abraham and his descendants forever
just as he promised our ancestors."

I want to call particular attention to the last portion of her song.


"He has helped his servant Israel, remembering to be merciful to Abraham and his descendants forever, just as he promised our ancestors."

Mary is proclaiming what she knows to be true of her Son Jesus. He is the fulfillment of the promises to Israel. Yeshua, which means "YHWH saves," has indeed come to save His people, just as he promised their ancestors. 


We can't miss this stuff in the Gospels. They are the lifeblood of the Church. We have a mission to fulfill, a vocation that Jesus has given us. We are the people of God, called to carry on what God has always said He would accomplish—redeeming the whole world to Himself.

Israel was the instrument of God's saving plan. He dwelt among them in the tabernacle in the desert. He promised to dwell with them in a temple. He did, but then He left because Israel rebelled. Now, as Mary clearly understands, God "...has helped Israel, remembering to be merciful to Abraham and his descendants forever," all by becoming flesh and dwelling among them.

The Gospels are incredibly important in understanding our mission as disciples. If we can't read them in the right light, then they become what they all to often have, simple stories to "recollect" what happened or moral teachings for our personal lives. That's not what the Gospels are.

Some may simply overlook Mary's song as beautiful. But it is packed with significance that we cannot miss.