Pondering Mary's Words

During this Christmas season, I invite you to take a few minutes to ponder Mary’s Magnificat. Hopefully, this short reflection will offer both of us a brief respite and the wisdom to discern the most important things in life—during and after Christmas. It’s helpful to realize that celebrating the Twelve Days of Christmas offers us grace and time to finish sending out those Christmas cards, bake a few more cookies (if we want), and enjoy the season more fully!

Today, let’s ponder what Mary models concerning giving glory to her Son in all the right ways this Christmas! Start by slowly reading the Gospel of Luke 1:46-56, then ponder the following verses. Want to go deeper? Grab a notebook or your favorite journal, and reflect on the questions. 

“My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord.”

Mary tells Elizabeth that her soul glorifies the Lord. What does she mean? How does Mary glorify the Lord? Does your soul glorify the Lord? Explain.  

“My spirit rejoices in God my savior.”

How does Mary’s spirit rejoice in God? Define Savior. Who is your Savior? Does your spirit rejoice in God? How do you rejoice in God? Is there a difference between our soul and our spirit? 

“For he has looked upon his handmaid’s lowliness; behold, from now on will all ages call me blessed.”

How does Mary display her genuine humility? What is humility? Why is humility necessary for holiness? What vice opposes humility? 

“The Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is his name."

What great things did the Mighty One do for Mary? What great things does the Mighty One do for you?  

“His mercy is from age to age to those who fear him."

What is fear of the Lord? How do we put on fear of the Lord? Why is it a virtue? Why is fear of the Lord necessary to receive God’s Mercy? How have you experienced God’s mercy? 

"He has shown might with his arm, dispersed the arrogant of mind and heart."

What does Mary mean when she says that God performs mighty deeds with his arm? Who does God scatter? How does He scatter? Why is pride a stumbling block to faith? What virtue does pride oppose and effectively uproot?  

“He has thrown down the rulers from their thrones but lifted up the lowly.”

We can easily conclude that Mary loves God and was well-schooled in the Torah. How well do you know God and His ways? Where and how do you learn about God? 

“The hungry he has filled with good things; the rich he has sent away empty.”

What does this verse mean? Does God continue to fill the hungry with good things? Who are the hungry? Saint Augustine taught that God is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow. How does that apply to you and me and Mary?  

“He has helped Israel his servant, remembering his mercy, according to his promise to our fathers, to Abraham and to his descendants forever."

Does this verse still apply today? Explain in your own words.  

May your Christmas be merry and blessed! May God grant you a happy New Year.