Prequel, Prophet, Prince of Peace

Prequel, Prophet, Prince of Peace

(Based on the Gospel of Luke 1:39-55)

After agreeing to become the mother of our Lord, a pregnant Mary sets out on a journey from Nazareth to the Judean hill country to visit her cousin Elizabeth, who is pregnant with a son who will become John the Baptist. This visit is bathed with the presence of God’s Holy Spirit as John leaps in his mother’s womb as he senses the presence of one who he later calls “greater than I.” Elizabeth welcomes Mary and calls her “blessed of God:” “Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit and exclaimed with a loud cry, "blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. Why has this happened to me, that the mother of my Lord comes to me? Blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her by the Lord."

Mary was blessed because of her faith and obedience which make the incarnation humanly possible. Mary’s Song, the Magnificat, shows the importance and power of the Incarnation, of “God with us.” Mary’s song also telegraphs something of Jesus’ future, about the challenges and persecutions to come. If we are paying attention, it prepares us for our future as well. Mary confronts every Idol that we humans try to make into God, and she turns them on their heads.

"My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has looked with favor on the lowliness 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. 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 thoughts 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. . ."(Luke 1:46-53)

Mary is the supreme prophetic witness to God’s tender regard for the forgotten and discounted people of the world. She proclaims that where God’s mercy strikes home, the structures of privilege buckle and give way and Idols tumble.

Jesus’ Gospel is challenging, and Mary prepares us ahead of time for what is to come. May God give is the faith, obedience and courage to be like Mary.