Monday of the Fourth Week of Easter
(I Samuel 1:24-28; Luke 146-56)
Curiously, it is not today’s first reading that finds
fulfilment in the gospel but the responsorial psalm. In it the same Hannah of the first reading sings
of God’s exalting her lowly estate by blessing her with a child. Mary says something similar in the gospel canticle
well-known by the Latin of its first word, “Magnificat.” She proclaims the Lord for raising her from a
lowly estate to blessedness.
Mary not only echoes Hannah; she also anticipates the beatitudes
of Jesus. In this same Gospel according
to Luke, Jesus will say “Blessed are you who are poor” and “Woe to you who are rich.” By projecting the thoughts of Jesus onto
Mary, Luke intends to show her faithful discipleship. As a true follower of the Lord, she not only
says that Jesus is the Savior but also indicates how so.
We may wonder with Protestants if the Church does not
overemphasize Mary. It is true that some
Catholics seem to make her part of the Godhead.
But Church teaching is certainly correct when it describes Mary as Jesus’
most faithful disciple. She is rightly
portrayed in official Church teaching as a model for all Christians.
