Every year, I adventure into Advent with a fresh sense of gratitude, and wonder. Wonder leads me to wondering, to questions about new stirrings within me, within my family and my community. Wondering what manifestation of Jesus’ life and teaching is being invited, even called for, now. The Christmas story comes alive in new ways each year. The same wonderings evoke new responses. Yet this one passage in scripture*, of Mary’s revolutionary song, is so stunning that all my senses and wonderings are hushed. I am absorbed by her, struck by amazement.
In her pregnancy, Jesus’ mother, Mary, a young girl has a radical vision. Miraculously, her “yes” opened her to astonishing insight and the capacity to boldly proclaim it to her cousin Elizabeth. Mary speaks of her magnified soul, her rejoicing spirit and her reverence for the Holy One. Perhaps her own immediate experience shines when she says the proud will be scattered in the imagination of their hearts. In any case, she proclaims that the rich will be lowered; the poor and hungry will be exalted and fulfilled. She says, somehow she knows, the Merciful One remembers the sacred promises made to Abraham and will help Israel now.
Elizabeth herself is pregnant with John the Baptist, the one who will prepare the way for Jesus. It is a wondrous mystery indeed that these two cousins share a momentous destiny they will discover together and, even at this early stage, encourage and fortify one another with courage and prophecy.
Reflecting on this past year, fraught with confusion, grief and fear around the world, I am struck by the courage of these women. I marvel at Mary’s strong heart and radical prophetic song flowing from new courage. When the angel Gabriel first appeared to her, she was naturally frightened and perplexed. Immediately Gabriel told her not to be afraid. Somehow, she was able to take that instruction to heart and was transformed. Somehow, her depths were rearranged so that her own imagination became holy and sure, aligned with God’s own hope. Enlightened, her soul was so “magnified” that she knew and proclaimed that the proud would be scattered in the imagination of their hearts.
I don’t know what most defined Mary before this encounter with Gabriel. After the encounter though, it is surely courage – passionate courage opening the way for the “impossible” renewal of the world.
–Ann Dean, Dayspring Church
Reflection Questions
- What vision of renewal is stirring your heart?
- What person can you tell about what you imagine?
- Is courage something you pray for?
