Glorify the Lord

Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Luke 1:39-56

At that time Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea, where she entered Zechariah’s home and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. In a loud voice she exclaimed: “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear! But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her!” And Mary said: “My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed, for the Mighty One has done great things for me— holy is his name. His mercy extends to those who fear him, from generation to generation. He has performed mighty deeds with his arm; he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts. He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble. He has filled the hungry with good things but has sent the rich away empty. He has helped his servant Israel, remembering to be merciful to Abraham and his descendants forever, just as he promised our ancestors.” Mary stayed with Elizabeth for about three months and then returned home.

Opening Prayer: Lord Jesus, you are the giver of all good things! Open my eyes to see your blessings and to glorify you with my rejoicing. 

Encountering Christ:

1. Rejoice: The Gospel invites us to contemplate this encounter between two holy women, marvel at their response to one another, and enter into their joy. The scene before us is full of life and energy. Mary “hurries.” With what joyful anticipation did she travel to meet and serve Elizabeth! Mary “enters” and “greets” her cousin. She went out to encounter Elizabeth intentionally. In a loud voice Elizabeth “exclaimed”: the Good News did not remain hidden, but was seen and proclaimed to everyone within earshot. She was full of exuberance. Far from being superficial and vivacious females chattering, the two women discovered a treasure in the other. Both were moved interiorly to rejoice and praise the Lord. Elizabeth and Mary embody the beauty of women who open themselves to the fruitfulness of the Holy Spirit, recognizing, welcoming and proclaiming the presence of the Messiah in the world. Let us ask for the grace to encounter the beauty and the Spirit of God present within others.
2. “My Soul Glorifies the Lord”: Imagine the interior elation of Mary as she poured forth her Magnificat! She was fully aware that the joy she experienced came from the Lord and that he had performed marvels within her, fulfilling what had been promised for generations. The object of her exultation was not herself and how blessed she was because of her pregnancy. She was genuinely moved by the gratuitousness of the Lord God her Savior. What is the object of our own rejoicing?
3. A Litany of God’s Attributes: When we read and ponder slowly each of the phrases of Mary’s Magnificat, we see that Mary attributes to the Lord these qualities: holiness, mercifulness, might, justice, and faithfulness to his promises. Is this how we have experienced the Lord? Perhaps we could write our own “magnificat,” rejoicing and praising the Lord for the wonders he has worked in us!

Conversing with Christ: Lord Jesus, grant me true wisdom to see your hand in all historical and personal events and rejoice that you are the Savior of the world. Let me not hide my joy or gratitude to you, but find ways to genuinely proclaim it by the way I encounter others. 

Resolution: Lord, today by your grace I will not be silent about the marvelous blessings you have bestowed on me. 

For Further Reflection: Discernment of Spirits, Rule 13.

 Jennifer Ristine is a consecrated woman of Regnum Christi dedicated to spiritual and faith formation through teaching, conferences, writing, and spiritual direction. While serving in Ancient Magdala she wrote Mary Magdalene: Insights from Ancient Magdala and “Nine Days with Mary Magdalene.”