Advent: Exploring the Magnificat 3

This week we enter the third week of exploring Mary’s song, found in Luke 1:46b-55, called the Magnificat, a Latin word which literally means “exalt, glorify, magnify.”  And that she does! 

We enter this third week much like we experience the 3rd movement of Lectio Divina ... Oratio, Prayer.  First, we join Mary in prayer with a version I have not seen before, called The Passion Translation (TPT).

“My soul is ecstatic, overflowing with praises to God!
My spirit bursts with joy over my life-giving God!
For he set his tender gaze upon me, his lowly servant girl.
    And from here on, everyone will know
    that I have been favored and blessed.
The Mighty One has worked a mighty miracle for me;
    holy is his name!
Mercy kisses all his godly lovers,
    from one generation to the next.
Mighty power flows from him
    to scatter all those who walk in pride.
Powerful princes he tears from their thrones
    and he lifts up the lowly to take their place.
Those who hunger for him will always be filled,
    but the smug and self-satisfied he will send away empty.
Because he can never forget to show mercy,
    he has helped his chosen servant, Israel,
Keeping his promises to Abraham
    and to his descendants forever.” Amen.


Is there a word or phrase from Mary's Song that draws you closer to God ... one that you could carry in your heart this week?

With the beauty of Mary's prayer singing in your soul ... I invite you to enter into a time of prayer with this stunning icon, the "Mother of God of Czestochowa" through "gazing." Praying with this Icon while both holding your word or phrase but letting go at the same time can be a challenge.  Simply sit in the silence until you find silence within, then rest before the icon in a position of comfort so you are able to gaze into it. You may want to light a candle to illuminate this time of prayer.  Over time the icon will begin to examine you as you gaze into it.  As you come to "know" Mary, you may find that she speaks to you through the image in ways that words cannot ... Amen.


As you emerge from your time of Prayer with this Icon, you may want to create a breath prayer that brings your experience to a close, or you can use this one:

Breathing in ... Life-Giving God
Breathing in ... My soul longs for You

When you are ready to close your time of prayer ... My Soul longs for you, praises you and lifts you up, Life-Giving God.  Help me feel your Presence in my daily life as I do when I am in prayer!  Amen.

Image:  Mother of God "Czestochowa"
Iconographer: St. Luke the Evangelist,
Date: 1st c.
Location: Jasna Gora Monastery,
Czestochowa, Poland

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