Luke 1:46-55 (NRSV)
Read Luke 1:46-55 on biblegateway.com
Verse 46And Mary said, "My soul magnifies the Lord, Verse 47and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, Verse 48for he has looked with favor on the lowliness of his servant. Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed; Verse 49for the Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is his name. Verse 50His mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation. Verse 51He has shown strength with his arm; he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts. Verse 52He has brought down the powerful from their thrones, and lifted up the lowly; Verse 53he has filled the hungry with good things, and sent the rich away empty. Verse 54He has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy, Verse 55according to the promise he made to our ancestors, to Abraham and to his descendants forever."
Devotion
This Sunday many of us will hear and sing the praise song of Jesus’ mother, Mary, known as the Magnificat. Many of the students I serve as a campus pastor love the Magnificat because it speaks of God’s justice and transformative work. It speaks of God bringing down the powerful and lifting up the lowly, filling the hungry with good things and sending the rich away empty. Many students long for and work for that kind of world. Sometimes I long and work for it, but sometimes it sounds daunting and threatening to my comfortable life. Thankfully, God’s Word works to both comfort and convict me, and all of us, so that we can see God’s transforming work in the world as good news. Join Mary in singing praise to God and join in God’s work of bringing in the kingdom of justice and righteousness.
Prayer
God of justice and righteousness, you make all things new. Bring change and newness to our lives and our world through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.