Reflections – Page 2161 – Breaking the Word

22.12.11 GOD OF PROMISE

Posted under Reflections on December 21st, 2011 by

And Mary said: "My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord; my spirit rejoices in God my savior. For he has looked upon his handmaid's lowliness; behold, from now on will all ages call me blessed. The Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is his name. His mercy is from age to age to those who fear him. He has shown might with his arm, dispersed the arrogant of mind and heart. He has thrown down the rulers from their thrones but lifted up the lowly. The hungry he has filled with good things; the rich he has sent away empty. He has helped Israel his servant, remembering his mercy, according to his promise to our fathers, to Abraham and to his descendants forever." Mary remained with her about three months and then returned to her home. (Lk 1:46-56)

Mary sees everything in God’s perspective. Whatever happens in life is the work of God and she proclaims the greatness of God. Mary also sees the saving act of God. People of Israel began their faith-life after their experience of God in His saving act in Egypt. Right from that moment God has been continuing His saving act.

This saviour-God is not a one who acts for a group of people only. He also acts individually to every person. Mary has experienced this Saviour-God of Israel as the personal saviour-God. She calls Him my saviour (God my savior. For he has looked upon his handmaid's lowliness). This God does the very same thing to everyone (His mercy is from age to age to those who fear him).

He does not upset things in the world as we often think (dispersed the arrogant of mind and heart. He has thrown down the rulers from their thrones but lifted up the lowly. The hungry he has filled with good things; the rich he has sent away empty). Mary sees these actions of God as actions of mercy and fulfillment of his promise. God is the God who fulfills his promise and this is done through His actions of mercy.

21.12.11 GOOD NEWS

Posted under Reflections on December 20th, 2011 by

During those days Mary set out and travelled to the hill country in haste to a town of Judah, where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the infant leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth, filled with the holy Spirit, cried out in a loud voice and said, "Most blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. And how does this happen to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For at the moment the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the infant in my womb leaped for joy. Blessed are you who believed that what was spoken to you by the Lord would be fulfilled." (Lk 1:39-45)

Mary received the good news that God had chosen her to be the mother of Jesus and as a proof of her motherhood; God gave the news that Elizabeth, her cousin, was also becoming a mother. Mary rushed to see her cousin to rejoice with her and also to be of service to her. Mary could not share this good news anyone else because no one would accept it.

Elizabeth would accept Mary and also rejoice with her, because she was also in the same situation. This was the reason that as soon as she saw Mary she cried out in a loud voice: "Most blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb…”. Only Elizabeth could understand the situation and accept the situation. All the others need further proofs and explanations (including Joseph).

Exchange of greeting among two mothers was also exchange of greetings between the presences of the spirit. They realized the presence of the Holy Spirit. The children within their womb also exchanged their greetings (the infant in my womb leaped for joy). Then there was an open declaration that all those who accept and believe this would be blessed.