Commentary on the Gospel of
Mary’s Advent Hymn
On August 15, we reflected on how powerful Mary’s Magnificat was. It was so potent that it shook earthly powers in several countries. Here is a reflection from Dietrich Bonhoeffer on the power of her Magnificat:
“The song of Mary is the oldest Advent hymn. It is at once the most passionate, the wildest, one might even say the most revolutionary Advent hymn ever sung. This is not the gentle, tender, dreamy Mary whom we sometimes see in paintings; this is the passionate, surrendered, proud, enthusiastic Mary who speaks out here…. This song… is a hard, strong, inexorable song about collapsing thrones and humbled lords of this world, about the power of God and the powerlessness of humankind. These are the tones of the women prophets of the Old Testament that now come to life in Mary's mouth.”
Today, compose your own Magnificat, giving voice to the wonders God has worked in your life. We give thanks to the Lord for those who celebrate their birthday today.
