20 December Luke 1:46-55
I remember the cartoon in my Gran’s parish magazine. A well-heeled couple leaving church, and the husband says, of the vicar: “Where does he get these left-wing ideas? The meek shall inherit the earth, indeed!” Had they been to evensong, and listened to the Magnificat (the Song of Mary, our reading) he might have realised that ‘left-wing’ or radical ideas are at the heart of the Gospel. What starts as a young woman’s song of thanks and wonder at having been chosen by God, soon turns into a declaration of what God is doing and will do to reorder society. The humble take the lead, and more than that, the rich and powerful seem to get their comeuppance. Just look at verses 51-53.
As Donald Trump assembles a cabinet based not so much on ability as ideology, made up of the rich and the powerful, we might wonder just what has happened to the vision in this passage. But God seems at times to play a long game and invites us to act alongside God in bringing about the changes that are necessary to usher in the Kingdom of God.
Luke gives us two other songs, in addition to the Magnificat (Luke 1:68-79 and Luke 2:29-35). The latter is Simeon’s and is also a remarkable statement of faith. If we truly want to follow Christ, we will learn to sing Mary’s song, and to live it. Then we will be able to depart in peace, having seen God’s salvation.
Peter Smith
My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour,
for he has looked with favour on the lowly state of his servant.
Surely from now on all generations will call me blessed,
for the Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is his name;
indeed, his mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation.
He has shown strength with his arm;
he has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.
He has brought down the powerful from their thrones and lifted up the lowly;
he has filled the hungry with good things and sent the rich away empty.
He has come to the aid of his child Israel, in remembrance of his mercy,
according to the promise he made to our ancestors,
to Abraham and to his descendants forever.
