Jesus inspires the Blessed Virgin Mary to proclaim the Magnificat. Every Catholic man can grow in happiness by growing in the Virtue of Prayer as he prays the Rosary and by building the Virtue of Gratitude as he prays the Magnificat.
Liturgy
4th Week of Advent – December 22 – Lk 1:46-56
Commentary
Following the Blessed Virgin Mary’s arrival in Judea and her kinswoman Elizabeth’s immortalized exaltation of Our Lady, and Christ Jesus in her womb (“Blessed are you among women…”; the Rosary), the Blessed Virgin Mary, full of humble joy, directs attention to the glory and praise of God. The Blessed Virgin Mary’s joyous Magnificat (Latin: “magnifies”) is a divinely inspired and poetic hymn of praise to God for His blessings throughout Salvation History.
The Magnificat begins with the Blessed Virgin Mary’s grateful response to the blessings that God has bestowed upon her. The Blessed Virgin Mary acknowledges she is a simple and humble soul (a handmaiden, from the Greek, doulé, more accurately translated as “female slave”) who exists solely so that God’s will is done (“My soul magnifies the Lord”). Astoundingly, the Blessed Virgin Mary prophetically announces, that, “all generations will call me blessed.” Our Lady acknowledges the “great things” God has done for her; the Blessed Virgin Mary has been astoundingly blessed to be the Immaculate Conception (born without sin), and has been chosen by God to bear His Only Son.
The Blessed Virgin Mary glorifies God, and His intervention in the lives of men across time. She exalts God’s selective mercy for the repentant (“for those who fear Him”), His powerful intervention in the lives of men (“strength of His arm”), His comfort for the persecuted poor (“exalted those of low degree”; “filled the hungry”), His justice against evil doers (“put down the mighty”; “rich…sent away empty”), and His protection, salvation and closeness to Israel (“helped His servant Israel…for ever”).
Be awed by Jesus Christ
Despite being the Son of God, Jesus, in His human nature, “grew in wisdom and stature” (Lk 2:52) in the Holy Family under the watchful and magnificent guidance of the Blessed Virgin Mary and the perfect and heroic virtue of St. Joseph. Marvel at how the Son of Mary was inspired by the Holy Mother of God with prayers such as the powerful and enduring Magnificat, just one beautiful example of prayer Jesus heard from His mother (CCC 2599).
Pray the Rosary
Realize: The Blessed Virgin Mary is not typically thought of as a prophet even though her words prophetically speak of the future; her prophecy, “all generations will call me blessed”, continues to be proven true even today every time one of the millions of Catholics around the world say a Hail Mary (“Blessed are you among women…”)
Believe: Reflect upon the great blessings of The Rosary (CCC 971, 2708, 2673-2682).
Pray: Jesus, Perfection of Prayer, help me build the Virtue of Prayer (a part of Justice) so each day I give You praise and gratitude for the marvelous gift of Your blessed Mother, I frequently seek the Blessed Virgin Mary’s intercession for healing and help, and I regularly pray the Rosary by myself and with my family.
Give thanks and pray the Magnificat
Realize: Each man enjoys immeasurable daily blessings, including the priceless gift of life, and a multitude of small blessings (love, freedom, safety, health, food, shelter, family, friends, comfort, work, nature, etc.).
Believe: Reflect upon the Blessed Virgin Mary and her gratitude to God in her beautiful prayer, the Magnificat (CCC 273, 722, 971, 2097, 2617-2619, 2622, 2675).
Pray: Jesus, Source of all Blessings, help me build the Virtue of Gratitude (a part of Justice) so I am filled with overwhelming gratitude for my many blessings, I offer You prayers of thanks many times a day, and I frequently join millions of Catholics around the world in the praying the Magnificat in evening prayer.