Thursday,
December 22, 2016
4th Week of Advent
1st Reading: 1 S 1:24-28
Gospel: Luke 1:46-56
And Mary said: “My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord, my spirit exults in God |my savior!
He has looked upon his servant in her lowliness, and people forever will call me blessed.
The Mighty One has done great things for me, Holy is his Name!
From age to age his mercy extends to those who live in his presence.
He has acted with power and done wonders, and scattered the proud with their plans.
He has put down the mighty from their thrones and lifted up those who are downtrodden.
He has filled the hungry with good things but has sent the rich away empty.
He held out his hand to Israel, his servant, for he remembered his mercy, even as he promised our fathers,
Abraham and his descendants forever.”
Mary remained with Elizabeth about three months and then returned home.
D@iGITAL-EXPERIENCE
(Daily Gospel in the Assimilated Life Experience)
“From the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks” (Matt. 12:34). Since the mouth does not only speak but also sings, the mouth can also sing from the abundance of the heart. This can happen especially when the heart is so full and plain speech stands as an insufficient mode of self- expression. It happened to the Virgin Mary. Full of grace, she could hardly express her gratitude to the Almighty. Finding words insufficient, she broke into song to give justice to the generosity of God who lavished on her so much grace for her major participation in the Incarnation event.
Her song is entitled the “Magnificat”. It comes from the Latin “Magnificare” which means to make great). The Magnificat is divided into two sections. First: God’s action in and through Mary (verses 46 to 49). Second: God’s work through those who submit themselves to him (verses 50-55). The first part establishes why Catholics give highest honor to the Blessed Virgin Mary. By a unique privilege Mary became Mother of God’s Son, spouse of the Holy Spirit and daughter of the Father. Through Mary’s cooperation God was able to do great things to humanity. Had she said “no” to the proposal of the angel, God would have to wait another generation to prepare another virgin.
The second part of the Magnificat tells us that the “YES tradition” of Mary continues in those who submit to the Divine will. The reason why we are facing crisis today is partly because there are less people willing to be God’s instruments in the tradition of the Blessed Virgin Mary. There are more people saying yes to materialism than to the things of the spirit.
As we are nearing Christmas let us join the Blessed Virgin Mary in her song of thanksgiving, for we too have been so blessed this year. -(Atty.) Rev. Fr. Dan Domingo P. delos Angeles, Jr., D.M.
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