Friday of the Third Week of Advent

Lectionary: 198

He has mercy on those who fear him
in every generation.
He has shown the strength of his arm,
and has scattered the proud in their conceit.
He has cast down the mighty from their thrones
and has lifted up the lowly.
He has filled the hungry with good things,
and the rich he has sent away empty.



Mary's Magnificat has been called the most revolutionary song in human history. The word revolution suggests a revolving wheel as the the powerful and wealthy are laid low while the disenfranchised and despised are raised up. 
But the revolution usually involves upheaval. The Church has seen much violence; both as victim and, sadly, as perpetrator. But our deepest desire is to avoid savagery and cruelty as the Kingdom of God descends like gentle dew on the earth. Mothers of young men dread the moment their sons are called to military service. The Veterans I meet are proud of the sons who have volunteered but wish it were not necessary. Many see little point to warfare of any kind. They wonder why we do it. 
I cannot believe that Mary sings of violence, anarchy or chaos as she anticipates her first born son. She is celebrating the justice which must surge like waters and righteousness like an unfailing stream.

She is eager for the day when Isaiah's prophecy will be fulfilled: 

Let justice descend, you heavens, like dew from above,
like gentle rain let the clouds drop it down.
Let the earth open and salvation bud forth;
let righteousness spring up with them!

The peace this world gives is laced with merciless brutality, often bordering on sadism. We confine miscreants in solitary confinement; we drain weaker nations of their natural resources; we strangle disagreeable nations with embargos of food and medical supplies. We promise relief if they will comply with our standards, but when they surrender our new legislators dismiss the old promises. 
Mary -- the Daughter of the Father, Mother of the Son and Spouse of the Holy Spirit -- understands that peace begins with the fear of the Lord. Her willing, docile spirit listens for the subtle promptings of that ruah which formed the Earth from stardust and the human being from mud. Her actions, reactions and responses wait for the word of direction:

Yes, like the eyes of servants
on the hand of their masters,
Like the eyes of a maid
on the hand of her mistress,
So our eyes are on the LORD our God,
till we are shown favor. Psalm 123

 Her spirit rejoices in God her Savior.