And Mary said: “My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed, for the Mighty One has done great things for me—holy is his name. His mercy extends to those who fear him, from generation to generation. He has performed mighty deeds with his arm; he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts. He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble. He has filled the hungry with good things but has sent the rich away empty. He has helped his servant Israel, remembering to be merciful to Abraham and his descendants forever, just as he promised our ancestors.” Luke 1:46-55
“God reverses human status and perception: in a downward movement, he scatters the arrogant, pulls down the mighty, sends away the rich empty. But God also, in an upward movement exalts the lowly, fills the hungry, and takes the hand of Israel. Precisely such a reversal is announced by Jesus in his Beatitudes and woes (6:20-26), and is enacted by him in the narrative of his ministry.”
Luke Timothy Johnson in Sacra Pagina: The Gospel of Luke (Collegeville: OSB, 2006) 44.
As we reflect on joy this week in Advent, consider Mary’s rejoicing today in the section of Luke’s Gospel known widely as the Magnificat. She rejoices because Messiah will reverse everything that is broken in this world through God’s greatest act of generosity.
Know anyone whose life is just a mess, and who needs a reversal in just about every area of their existence? They need God to show up. That was Israel! God did it through Jesus then is still doing it today. Pray for them to experience a reversal as a result of the Advent of Jesus this Christmas!