Mary’s Joyful Outburst Is Our Note Of Joy And Vindication

1 Samuel 1:24-28
1 Samuel 2:1,4-8
Luke 1:46-56

Three days before Christmas, our readings are full of songs about God’s love for us; from two great women in the Bible praised and echoed throughout the centuries The songs of Hannah-the mother of Samuel, and Mary the mother of Jesus in today’s sacred scriptures remind us, of God, to whom we belong and what he desires for our world; and how God acts in history to accomplish his plan of salvation, mercy, and justice.

Today we hear in the first reading, Hannah’s return of her son whom God heard her prayer a year earlier. She did something any parent would find difficult to do; to let their child go and be under the care of another. A year earlier, she was seen by Eli the priest praying; has someone drunk or crazy; her eyes were red and full of bitterness and tears. her return a year later is an indication that God heard her cry and it is a sign of vindication of her faith.

Hannah’s spiritual journey in her song also shows a wider vision of a God of surprise reversals who breaks down those who seem to be mighty and raises the poor. This is a victory that shows that God loves us-the God of history who is victor ever glorious and pays attention to those whom society has forgotten and rejected. God never forgets his promise.

In today’s gospel, we hear a similar hymn on the lips of Mary from her encounter with the angel Gabriel to her visitation of her cousin Elizabeth. My soul magnifies the Lord she exclaimed! My entire life is grateful to God for he has done mighty deeds. And like Hannah, she knows that God is doing something great in history. God brings down the mighty from their thrones and exalts the lowly, God remembers his promises, his mercy.

This is fully reflected in the life of Christ. In his teachings and his entire life, he demonstrated God’s, merciful love. Mary’s song is a joyful outburst and a cry of vindication that shows the promises of God; that the proud leaders would be brought low and that evil is not the last word. God is still at work and working for those whom society has broken down.

We live in a world that seems as if evil has corrupted everything but we are reminded today by the songs of these women in the depths of our hearts, in the broken places of our minds, in the hurting parts of our society, and the world, that there is hope for tomorrow and a better place to be. God is coming ready to be born anew to the ones who did not expect it.

PRAYER

I am grateful, Heavenly Father, for all the joys of this holy season, and for the love of family and friends. Please Bless our hearts and home with your ever-living presence. I wish you all Happy and holy Christmas!

Fr Joseph Osho