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The readings for today are some of the most beautiful in Scriptures. The parallels between Hannah’s song of joy and that of Mary’s Magnificat are remarkable – two young women of God offering praise to the One who treasures the poor and forgotten and removes the rich from their thrones of pride and selfishness.
An atmosphere of justice penetrates Mary’s Magnificat; there is no doubt about that. I still remember the first time the justice aspect of her prayer hit me: I was standing in the hallway of CFJ’s old home in St. Joseph’s Seminary, reading the Magnificat painted upon the wall. It left me in awe of the poetic grace and undeniable message of this holy young woman’s prayer. Every time I have read it since, I have been struck by a different aspect – and this time is no different.
At the latter end of the Magnificat, Mary says the following:
“He has come to the help of his servant Israel
for he remembered his promise of mercy,
the promise he made to our fathers,
to Abraham and his children for ever.”
One of the remarkable aspects about being Catholic is the historical aspect of the faith – we’ve been around for over two thousand years! Sometimes, though, I think we neglect to call our traditional and biblical history to mind in the realm of justice. It’s easy to become doubtful that the impoverished and oppressed in this world will ever be cared for with dignity, love and mercy. It’s easy to wonder where God is in the midst of war and extreme poverty, both material and spiritual. Mary’s prayer reminds us that God IS present in the past, present and future of this world more than we can fathom. After all, He did follow through with His promise of a Savior for Israel, although His following through came in a timeframe and manner that was far different from what the Israelites planned for.
I think that Christians today are not all that different from the Israelites. We are hungry for justice and change and confused as to why we are not seeing it happen in the world in the ways we desire. Perhaps we need to take a step back this Advent and remember the words of Mary.
When we celebrate Christmas in just a few days, may we remember that God did fulfill His ancient promise of the Christ, and has not forgotten His promise of hope and deliverance to the poor of the world.
- Mary Carlson is the current FaithJustice Fellowship volunteer and a LeaderworX alumna.
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