Saturday, October 07, 2006

Jesus' Magnificat

Today's Gospel, the regular Saturday-in-Ordinary-Time Gospel, is a perfect match for a feast of Our Lady. Usually, on Marian feasts, the Gospel can be chosen from the "Common of the Blessed Virgin Mary," and one of the standard features is the Magnificat of Mary: "My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior..." Today's Gospel is the Magnificat of Jesus: "I bless you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth..."
In Luke's version of both "magnificats," joy is a prominent feature. Mary "rejoices in God" her Savior. Jesus "rejoices in the Holy Spirit." The same Greek word is used in both instances. There is a wonderful mystery there: the hallmark of union with God is joy, not just a happy joy, but a joy in God, participation in the life of God. And the hallmark of Jesus' own prayer is joyful praise.

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

LET US REJOICE WITH JESUS AND MARY AS WE PRAY THE ROSARY. IN EVERY MYSTERY THAT WE PRAY WE SEE THE GREAT LIFE OF JESUS. LET US LOVE JESUS WITH MARY OUR MOTHER AND MAY SHE TAKES US TO HIS SON WHOM WE LOVE AND GO TO THE WORLD AROUND US AND GIVE LOVE AND JOY TO THE WORLD



JOSE

Anonymous said...

Amen, Jose.