‘My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour’
On this Marian feast day, we celebrate Our Lady, assumed into glory through the saving power of her Son.
At the heart of today’s liturgy is the joy of that beautiful moment of Mary’s visit to her cousin Elizabeth (Gospel). These two women, who had no expectation of pregnancy, both carry babies who will in time bring about the kingdom of God on earth. Mary’s prayer of gratitude for this great blessing prefigures the Beatitudes that her Son, Jesus, will both proclaim and live.
The First Reading is part of the revelation to St John. In his vision, a crowned woman gives birth to a son. This child is taken up to God’s throne, and the salvation of Christ is proclaimed to the nations.
The Psalm is entitled a ‘song of love’, and for the Christian it poetically describes the love of God for his people. It invites us to listen, and to turn our hearts towards God.
In the Second Reading, we return to the theme of the salvation of Christ, also proclaimed in John’s revelation. In Christ all shall be made alive.
In both of our opening readings, there is an air of triumphalism about God overcoming evil in the world. By contrast, Mary’s visit to Elizabeth in the Gospel reveals how our salvation is brought about through humility and simplicity of heart. The powerful will be brought low and the weak and humble will be raised up.
Let us pray for a joyful spirit of gratitude for God’s saving love, so that we, too, can proclaim with Mary, ‘My soul magnifies the Lord.’
