GOSPEL POWER - DECEMBER 22, 2020 - TUESDAY

Gospel: Lk 1:46-56

 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.” And Mary remained with her about three months and then returned to her home.

REFLECTION

Through the lens of her own experience as recipient of God’s favor, Mary rereads the history of her people and discovers therein the pattern of divine reversal. God overturns those human expectations shaped by what the world considers important. This pattern of reversal is what God’s Son embodies as he enters into solidarity with us, leaving behind his glory to take on our lowly nature. This same pattern is what Jesus will teach and live—greatness is found in service, life is found in losing it. This is the pattern that unmasks the world’s deceptive agenda of self-fulfillment and aligns us with the divine intention to renew the face of the earth. Mary invites us to peer through the lens of her life to discover for ourselves this pattern of divine reversal and to let our life be shaped in accord with it, that we may participate fully in God’s project of renewal.

PRAYER

Lord Jesus, grant us the sensitivity to discern the pattern of divine reversal at work even now to bring forth in our midst the new creation. Amen.