Here is an excerpt from Kathleen Norris book, God With Us, that Pastor Danilo Cortez (Danny) quoted in his Advent sermon last night, which I thought to be really profound: Mary utters a song so powerful that its meaning still resonates in profound and disturbing ways. In the twentieth century Marys Magnificat became a cornerstone of liberation theology, so much so that during the 1980s the government of Guatemala found its message so subversive that it banned its recitation in public worship. The Magnificat reminds us that what we most value, all that gives us status - power, pride, strength and wealth - can be a barrier to receiving what God has in store for us. If we have it all, or think we can buy it all, there will be no Christmas for us. If we are full of ourselves, there will be no room for God to enter our hearts at Christmas. Marys prayer of praise, like many of the psalms, calls us to consider our true condition: God is God, and we are the creatures God formed out of earth. The nations are but nations, and even the power of a mighty army cannot save us. We all return to dust. And if we hope to rise in Gods new creation, where love and justice will reign triumphant, our responsibility, here and now, is to reject the temptation to employ power and force and oppression against those weaker than ourselves. We honour the Incarnation best by honouring Gods image in all people, and seeking to make this world into a place of welcome for the Prince of Peace. (p. 113-114 in God With Us.) The Magnificat: And Mary said, “My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant. For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed; for he who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name. And his mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation. He has shown strength with his arm; he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts; he has brought down the mighty from their thrones and exalted those of humble estate; he has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent away empty. He has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy, as he spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to his offspring forever.” (Luke 1:46-55 ESV)
Posted on: Mon, 08 Dec 2014 17:30:10 +0000