Readings: 1 Samuel 1:24-28; 1 Samuel 2; Lk 1:46-56
In today’s scripture readings, we are presented with two great mothers, Hannah the mother of Samuel and Mary the mother of Jesus Christ, the Savior of all humanity.
After receiving a son in answer to her prayers, Hannah dedicates Samuel to the Lord. In the same way, after conceiving the Son of God in Her womb, Mary“proclaims the greatness of the Lord”. Hannah and Mary give praise and thanks to God for the good things He has done for them.
I would like us today, to reflect on the Gospel of Luke, where Mary is responding to her cousin Elizabeth with the canticle of the Magnificat, “My soul magnifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior…”Mary is the first and perfect believer and Christian teacher who truly acknowledged God’s work in her. Likewise, should we proclaim the greatness of God when things are difficult in life? Yes. Should we proclaim the greatness of God when we do not feel His presence in our lives? Yes. Should we proclaim the greatness of God even when we encounter the heaviest of crosses in life? Most certainly yes. The “yes” of Mary is total.
Magnifying and proclaiming the greatness of God should not only be done after some powerful inspiration or answer to prayer. It should not only be done after we experience the closeness of God. Proclaiming God’s greatness is a duty of love and must always be done, every day, in every circumstance, no matter what. We proclaim God’s greatness primarily because of Who He is. He is God and worthy of all our praise.
We know that our life consists of good and bad things alike (spirit-flesh). And God is always with us both in good times and in difficult times, even in these difficult times of COVID-19 pandemic and God will eventually lead us to the experience of joy.
Therefore, with Mary and like Mary, we need to give God the praise and honor due to His Name, for all the good things He does in us and through us. Let us accept Emmanuel, “the “God-with-Us”.