21 December Tell out, my soul (StF 186)
It surprised me to learn the hymn ‘Tell Out My Soul’ was only written in 1961. By church standards, it would have been considered ‘new’ when I was a child. Perhaps it feels older because it is based on the words of the Magnificat, the Song of Mary, which appears in Luke 1:46-55.
I find the third verse to be the most compelling verse of the hymn (which corresponds to vv.52-53 in the Luke reading). In it, Mary speaks of a complete disruption of the Earthly order of things. She – a pregnant, unmarried girl in a desperately precarious position – speaks of those at the height of power and authority being brought low by God. It’s a complete reversal of how things should be. The subject speaks of subjugating the master.
Because what do our hierarchies matter before God, before whom all are equal? By our natures, humans are competitive. We set rules and boundaries for ourselves, decide who is in charge of whom, and jostle for position. Perhaps you do the opposite, and constantly question whether anyone wants to hear what you have to say, and keep quiet instead. Perhaps this means you end up holding back something that could have been enriching for everyone in your church to hear.
So, this Advent, I pray that you will hush the noise of your ego. I pray that you will hush the noise of the voice telling you that you aren’t enough. How can we give ourselves to worship when our minds are cluttered with social rules and standing? God doesn’t care whether you are the King, or the person who cleans the King’s loo. Hush the noise, and let your soul speak out for a change.
Abi Parr
Creator God,
you made us equal in your sight, different though we are.
Help us to realise the true value of our voice,
neither overplaying nor underplaying our importance
in the network of human community where you call us to serve you through sharing with our neighbours in love. Amen.
