Tuesday, December 7, 2010

Advent 3a - Luke 1:46-55

Luke 1:46-55
This is the song of Zion, the song sung at the Christ’s conception, the song Jesus would sing with his life, the song that would condemn him to death. “It is better for you that one man die for the people than that the whole nation perish” is how the high priest Caiaphas justified the murder of the One who raised Lazarus from the dead. Power does not care for protest songs and will take any measure to silence them. But Mary’s song will not be silenced. The humble are lifted up. The rulers are brought down. The hungry are fed with good things. The rich are sent empty away. Sung by a peasant girl, impregnated by the Holy Spirit come upon her, she risks her life to carry the light of the world to term. Sooner or later some busy body in Nazareth will notice that Mary is “beginning to look a lot like Christmas” and no one will be around to confess the virgin birth as an alibi. And yet she sings. She rejoices in God’s favor. She sings of the Savior mindful of her humble state who has blessed her for every generation. She sings rejoicing for her people because the Mighty One has remembered to be merciful. She sings the life within her before Bethlehem, before Golgotha, because Mary believes that in the conception of the Christ the future forever promise has already come true. Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.

2 comments:

  1. Mary's praise can be an example for all of us as we go through the difficulties of daily struggles and life challenges. Phil, your quote is definitely one of your best.

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  2. "Power does not care for protest songs and will take any measure to silence them." Great line!
    What struck me as I read this passage and your comment is the overwhelming contrast between Mary's perspective and the values of the world we live in. Ours is a world, even among "the faithful", that is attracted to power and authority. We love stories of the miraculous, of seas parted, lions that succumb, harmless flames, lepers healed, blind made to see, friends raised from death. It strikes me that many of us aren't all that different from our Jewish counterparts in Jesus' day, waiting for God to return in power to establish the political Kingdom of David in our midst. Mary's song stands in contrast to all of that. It is in fact our world turned upside down. Simple, heartfelt, joyous and humble - it bears witness to the authenticity of our God and the highest values of our faith.

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