Luke 1:46–55 (NRSV)
And Mary said, “My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior for he has looked with favor on the lowly state of his servant. Surely from now on all generations will call me blessed, for the Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is his name; indeed, his mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation. He has shown strength with his arm; he has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts. He has brought down the powerful from their thrones, and lifted up the lowly; he has filled the hungry with good things, and sent the rich away empty. He has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy, according to the promise he made to our ancestors, to Abraham and to his descendants forever.” Mary’s Song of Praise
Mary’s song is a public proclamation that God’s mercy confronts a disordered world. Mary’s verbs test our reflexes. God has shown strength, scattered pride, brought down the powerful, lifted the lowly, filled the hungry, sent the rich away empty. This is God’s holy disruption.
As people of privilege, it should remind us: pride can be the refusal to notice how our convenience costs others; power can be the quiet leverage of connections that open doors for some and close them to others; riches can look like responsible planning that never requires faith. Where do we instinctively take the high seat? How often do we organize our common life so those with the least flexibility do the most adapting? When do our prayers thank God for daily bread while our practices insulate us from the hunger of others?
The Song of Mary helps us receive the edge with the tenderness: “Sing, O sing, my soul, the greatness of the Lord. Rejoice, my spirit.” Tenderness is the doorway. Disruption is the way. Grace loosens our grip so we can receive better gifts.
Mighty One, tune our hearts to Mary’s song. Scatter pride when our convenience costs others; expose the quiet leverage of our connections and turn it toward those without it. Convert our habits so planning requires faith, not comfort; loosen our grip on time and status, and open our hands in listening, hospitality, and generosity. Let your holy disruption reshape our life together until the lowly are lifted, the hungry filled, and our praise is visible in daily choices. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Contributed by Amanda McDonald