Luke 1:46-55 (CEB)

46 Mary said, “With all my heart I glorify the Lord!
47     In the depths of who I am I rejoice in God my savior.
48 He has looked with favor on the low status of his servant.
    Look! From now on, everyone will consider me highly favored
49         because the mighty one has done great things for me.
Holy is his name.
50     He shows mercy to everyone,
        from one generation to the next,
        who honors him as God.
51 He has shown strength with his arm.
    He has scattered those with arrogant thoughts and proud inclinations.
52     He has pulled the powerful down from their thrones
        and lifted up the lowly.
53 He has filled the hungry with good things
    and sent the rich away empty-handed.
54 He has come to the aid of his servant Israel,
        remembering his mercy,
55     just as he promised to our ancestors,
        to Abraham and to Abraham’s descendants forever.”


Reflection

Mary’s song is a beautiful litany of praise to “God my savior.”  (vs 47) In our contemporary church many people think only of Jesus the Christ as our savior. This reminder from Mary is that every child of God, every person created in the image of God as we all are, has God as his/her savior. Sometimes referred to as “the Rock of our salvation,” or “the Lord/God of our salvation,” this God our Creator offers to every one of us grace upon grace, forgiveness without price and love beyond measure – an unconditional gift because that’s just who our God is.

The prayer that Mary offers has no special requests for herself, but rather for all her ancestors, “to Abraham’s descendants forever.” (vs. 55). How many of us in her situation would be able to trust in the future, not just for herself but for her children and her children’s children? We can make excuses about her time being a simpler time than ours; however, trust, faith, and praise are unconditional. Mary lives in her “now” and yet looks beyond to the unknown future, trusting that all will be well.

By Kathleen Stolz


For Pondering & Prayer

Did you ever have something unexpected happen in your life that you didn’t understand until years later? What was your first reaction? What is your new understanding years later?

Verse 50 uses the phrase “from one generation to the next.” Reflect on what you know about your family heritage. Where can you see God’s guidance at work in your ancestors that makes a difference in your life today?