Wednesday 31 October 2007

Background

In her journey to visit Elizabeth, Mary has had time tocontemplate the news that the angel brought: that she would bear achild to be named Jesus.

In her song we hear Mary's thankfulness at what God has done forher, and how he has turned human attitudes and the expectations ofthe world on its head. The powerful will be brought down, thehumble lifted up, the hungry will be filled and the rich sent awayempty. She also dwells on God's power, holiness and mercy.

These words take on new and fresh meaning if you are materiallypoor. For here you discover a God who knows about you, who careswhat happens to you, who has a special blessing for you and thatthe rich and the proud will not be always be so blessed.

This song of Mary perhaps makes uncomfortable reading for those ofus who are materially rich as in it she reflects God's preferentialoption for the poor. Mary reminds us that there will be justice forthe poor - for those who normally have no voice.

The richest people I have met in my life were a group of women whowere in prison in Guatemala in 2000. Most were there for stealingfood to feed their children, but did not have money to bribe thejudges to get them out of jail, so they had to stay for longerperiods of time than was normal. They had no voice and were awayfrom their families and yet they were rich because while in prisonthey had met Jesus and had come to know the blessing of God's loveand care for them and were so passionate about sharing that lovewith others.

To Ponder

Use the reading as a meditation to reflect on theholiness of God.

Remember those today who have no voice: the poor,the abused, those who are being sex-trafficked across the world,the prisoners.

Pray that: "Your kingdom come, your will be done,on earth as it is in heaven".