Monday, December 22, 2025

 

Monday of the Fourth Week of Easter

(I Samuel 1:24-28; Luke 1:46-56)

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 very 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.

Friday, December 19, 2025

 

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.

Friday, December 22, 2017

Friday of the Third Week of Advent

(I Samuel 1:24-28; Luke 1:46-56)

One is hard-pressed to find a relationship between the reading and the gospel today.  It might be asked: “What does the account of Hannah’s delivering her son into the Lord’s service have in common with Mary’s praise of the Lord?”  The answer may be found in a more extensive reading of the First Book of Samuel.  After dedicating her son to the Lord, Hannah utters a discourse much like Mary’s hymn of praise to God in the gospel.  Hannah too tells of the mighty being humbled, the well-fed searching for bread, and the poor being lifted up.

Nevertheless, Mary goes further than her Old Testament counterpart in praising the Lord.  She anticipates the preaching of her son by saying how God has already blessed her, His “lowly servant.” In Luke’s gospel Jesus continually reiterates the message of the world’s order being turned upside down with the coming of the Kingdom.  He tells of the wealthy being humbled and the poor being elevated, oppressors being silenced while the suffering are relieved.  Mary says something similar but pertinent to her situation.  God has shown favor to her by making her the bearer of His son.  Furthermore, he is rescuing Israel by sending His Son as the nation’s savior.

Mary is doing the work of a preacher who brings to life God’s word in present circumstances.  It is not enough for a homilist to retell the gospel; he or she must apply it to contemporary times if listeners are to find hope in meeting present challenges.  Similarly, we should share with others how we have found Christ’s message resonating in our lives.  For example, the marginalized are being given priority when refugee families are assisted in finding housing and work in our communities. 

Thursday, December 22, 2016

Thursday of the Fourth Week of Advent

(I Samuel 1:24-28; Luke 1:46-56)

Looking at the first reading and the gospel today, we may feel hard-pressed to find a relationship.  “What does the account of Hannah’s delivering her son into the Lord’s service have in common with Mary’s praise of the Lord?” we might ask.  The answer is hidden.  If we refer to the first chapter of the First Book of Samuel we will find that Hannah next statement after dedicating her son to the Lord resembles Mary’s praise of God in the gospel.  Like Mary, Hannah tells of the mighty being humbled, the well-fed searching for bread, and the poor being lifted up.

Nevertheless, Mary does more in her prayer of praise then paraphrase the Old Testament.  More significantly, she interprets the preaching of her son which we have heard throughout this past year.  In Luke’s gospel Jesus reiterates continually the message of the wealthy being humbled and the poor being elevated, oppressors being silenced while the suffering are relieved.  Mary says something similar but pertinent to her situation.  God has shown favor to her, His lowly servant, by making her the bearer of His son.  Furthermore, he has rescued Israel by sending His Son as the nation’s savior.

Mary is doing the work of a preacher who brings to life God’s word in present circumstances.  It is not enough for a homilist to retell the gospel; he or she must apply it to contemporary times if listeners are to find hope in meeting present challenges.  Similarly we should share with others how we have found Christ’s message resonating in our lives.  For example, Jesus’ many blessings of the poor should move us to speak of how our encounters with them have been rewarding. 

Wednesday, December 22, 2010

Wednesday of the Fourth Week of Advent

(I Samuel 1:24-28; Luke 1:46-56)

Looking for a relationship between the reading from Samuel and the gospel today, we may be hard-pressed. “What does the account of Hannah’s delivering her son into the Lord’s service have in common with Mary’s praise of the Lord?” we might ask. The answer is hidden. If we refer to the first chapter of the First Book of Samuel we will find that Hannah next statement after dedicating her son to the Lord resembles Mary’s praise of God in the gospel. Like Mary, Hannah tells of the mighty being humbled, the well-fed searching for bread, and the poor being lifted up.

Nevertheless, Mary does more in her prayer of praise then paraphrase the Old Testament. More significantly, she interprets the preaching of her son which we have heard throughout this past year. In Luke’s gospel Jesus reiterates continually the message of the wealthy being humbled and the poor being elevated, oppressors being silenced while the suffering are relieved. Mary says something similar but pertinent to her situation. God has shown favor to her, His lowly servant, by making her the bearer of His son. Furthermore, he has rescued Israel by sending His Son as the nation’s savior.

Mary is doing the work of a preacher who brings to life God’s word in present circumstances. It is not enough for a homilist to retell the gospel; he or she must apply it to contemporary times if listeners are to find hope in meeting present challenges. Similarly we should share with others how we have found Christ’s message resonating in our lives. For example, Jesus’ warning of the cost of discipleship rings true when we realize that we must abandon certain acquaintances who tempt us to be accomplices in their sins.