Christianity is Exultation
Friday, December 22, 2023
by Fr. David M. Knight
View readings for 3rd Friday of Advent: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings
Lectionary no. 198 (1Samuel 1:24-28; Canticle: 1Samuel 2; Luke 1:46-56)
My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord; my spirit rejoices in God my savior. Luke 1:46
Do we say spontaneously what Mary said? If not, maybe Mary knows something about Christianity that we don’t.
And maybe we should look into that—if for no other reason than to be able to join in enthusiastically with all the prefaces at Mass that invite us to “rejoice and exult” with all the angels and saints in acclaiming God’s glory: “Holy, Holy, Holy…!”
The “greatness of the Lord” that Mary was proclaiming—what does it add up to?
Ø He has mercy on those who fear him
Ø has shown the strength of his arm,
Ø scattered the proud
Ø cast down the mighty
Ø lifted up the lowly.
Ø filled the hungry with good things
Ø sent the rich away empty
Ø come to the help of his servant Israel
Ø remembered his promise of mercy made to our fathers,
Mary paints the picture of a kind God who uses his strength to help the poor, the needy, and the powerless. To those who know they fit into those categories—and the truth is, all of us do—Christianity offers few constraints and multiple advantages. A God like that is something to exult in.
Christianity is a religion of relationship. Its focus is on a Person—three, in fact.
DAILY PRACTICE: Every time you feel a need, ask yourself how God might supply it.
ADVENT PRAYER: My spirit rejoices in God, my Savior.
Reflections brought to you by the Immersed in Christ Ministry
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