The Prayer of Thanksgiving (Magnificat) Luke 1:46-56
Imaginative Contemplation
Enter into the scene
I listen to Mary. She is excited, and the words tumble out from her. God has done great things for her. She is a pivotal part of God’s plan for the redemption of the whole world. But she is not pointing to herself, but to God.
I listen as she goes on to talk about God’s greatness. He puts down the mighty, raises the lowly.
I feel a great excitement as I hear Mary speak, the words tumbling from her as she remembers the scriptures. But this is not something that happened long ago in the past; it is happening NOW!
As I listen, I ask God to open my heart to recognise the good things he is doing in our world this very day.
I hear god’s call to make his kingdom come in the small and bigger things in my world today.
For further reflection
Discuss with Jesus the following points:
Mary said, ‘My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour.
· When do I recognise and praise God for his action in my life?
· I pause and list the things in my life for which I am grateful
o Life, faith, family
o The circumstances of my life
o What I am grateful for today: food, life, health, friendships, and …
All generations will call me blessed. For the Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is his name.
· Can I recognise in Mary the gifts of God?
· Do I pray to Mary as my mother, someone I can confide in?
· How can I imitate Mary as she seeks to do God’s will?
· I pray the Hail Mary slowly…
His mercy is for those who fear him throughout the ages…
He has scattered the proud,
brought down the powerful,
lifted up the lowly,
fed the hungry,
sent the rich away empty,
he has helped his people as he promised.
· What does ‘fear of God’ mean for me? Could we replace the word fear with the word awe? How would that change my attitude to God?
· Where do I feel called to lift up the lowly, give food to the hungry, help those in need?
Mary stayed on for three months, that is, until the birth of John the Baptist.
Prayer
Lord, teach me to imitate Mary as she praises you and reaches out to others. Amen.