Read Song of Songs 2:8-14, Ps.33:2-3,11-12,20-21, Luke 1:39-45
“My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour, for he has looked with favour on the lowliness of his servant.” (Luke 1:46-48)
Giving thanks is not just an act, it is an attitude; it demands humility on our part to acknowledge that all we have are gifts, not rights. Today we encounter two women who are models of gratitude; women who acknowledged their nothingness and the fact that God especially favoured them.
In joy, Hannah and Mary composed songs of thanksgiving as they praised God for his blessings in their lives. These songs happen to be present in our liturgy today; that of Hannah in the responsorial psalm and Mary in our Gospel passage.
When we look at these songs, we cannot but see their theology of how God works; a theology Paul summarizes in 1 Corinthians 1:27, “God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong.” According to Hannah: “The bows of the mighty are broken, while the tottering gird on strength.
The well-fed hire themselves out for bread, while the hungry batten on spoil. The barren wife bears seven sons, while the mother of many languishes.” While for Mary: “He has cast down the mighty from their thrones and has lifted up the lowly. He has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent away empty.”
God is not pleased with the Proud. God does not recognize those who believe that they are self-made; those who live as if God is not necessary; those who never go down on their knees to pray; those who consider going to church as a waste of time; those who depend on themselves or on other people rather than God. One quality of proud people is that they consider Thanksgiving a waste of time or money.
Let us not end this year with complaining, rather let us humble ourselves, stoop low, and remember how we used to be nothing, how things were far worse than this moment so that we can give thanks.
Let us pray: Heavenly Father, may my soul continue to sing your praises. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. God bless you. (21 December. Bible Study: Song of Songs 2:8-14, Ps.33:2-3,11-12,20-21, Luke 1:39-45)
© Rev. Fr. Evaristus Abu