Coffee With God

Reflection: Luke 1:46-56

“The Almighty has done great things for me,” sang the Blessed Mother during her visitation to Elizabeth. People who have placed their trust in God, especially those who have no one else in the world to lean on, have often identified with this song of this poor, young, unmarried pregnant woman! Mary sang her hymn of gratitude and joy not at a time when she was in the comforts and securities of her family but when she was most uncertain of her future. Her proposed marriage was at stake and was facing the ignominy of being pregnant out of wedlock. What else was required to cause a nervous breakdown for a teenager? What the Blessed Mother exhibits in the magnificat is her stupendous reliance on God’s mighty providence. Mary’s magnificat is more than a hymn of thanksgiving, for us it serves as a creed that reiterates our faith in the divine plan. The Church’s Liturgy of Hours included the magnificat in its daily prayer as a constant reminder to reassure ourselves of God’s concern and love for his ‘lowly servant.’ All what it requires is the humility to surrender before the plan of God to witness the ‘great things the almighty’ does in our lives. The song of Mary narrates the mighty works of God one after another and rejoices over them. We read: He has scattered the proud in their conceit. He has cast down the mighty from their thrones: We continue to sing these verses aloud, for this is our life testimony. It is true that at a time of illnesses, or when you realise that you are thrown out of your job, or when you have no ways to pay your rentals; when you fall out of a relationship – then, how easily do we succumb to fear and frustration! Like the disciples in the middle of the sea, caught in the storm, we cry and panic over the impending disasters. But the voice of Jesus consoles us: “Courage, it’s I, do not be afraid” (Mt. 14:27). Let not our human weakness pull us back to despair, for notwithstanding the pains of this life, we know “the Lord is with us” – Emmanuel – and it’s our turn to sing with Mary our Magnificat.