My Spirit Rejoices – Reflection on Luke 1:39-56
You have likely had the emotion of your heart leaping for joy when know of a child’s pending birth. If you are older, the feeling repeats for your child’s children or any child you see. You smile with happiness when you hear people talking about the joy of their children. Sometimes, you silently say my spirit rejoices as you feel your pumping heart. There are many other times for rejoicing, such as deeply caring for someone, encountering value from the Word, when prayers are fulfilled, and communicating with faith-filled people. These joyful human emotions join the Holy Spirit’s prompting to create an invitation to talk. We become brothers or sisters to even strangers, pray together, or help recognize Christ in each other. In all cases, without realizing it, we magnify the Lord. To be blessed and to bless God is the same result that Mary and Elizabeth had for each other.
The Magnificat by James Tissot (full resolution image of painting).
More details are available on the Brooklyn Museum website.
Additional Ordinary Time Reflections
Additional Eastertide Reflections
Luke 1:39-56 – Scripture*
Mary Visits Elizabeth
39 In those days Mary set out and went with haste to a Judean town in the hill country, 40 where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. 41 When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the child leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit 42 and exclaimed with a loud cry, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. 43 And why has this happened to me, that the mother of my Lord comes to me? 44 For as soon as I heard the sound of your greeting, the child in my womb leaped for joy. 45 And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her by the Lord.”
Mary’s Song of Praise
46 And Mary said,
“My soul magnifies the Lord,
47 and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
48 for he has looked with favor on the lowliness of his servant.
Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed;
49 for the Mighty One has done great things for me,
and holy is his name.
50 His mercy is for those who fear him
from generation to generation.
51 He has shown strength with his arm;
he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts.
52 He has brought down the powerful from their thrones,
and lifted up the lowly;
53 he has filled the hungry with good things,
and sent the rich away empty.
54 He has helped his servant Israel,
in remembrance of his mercy,
55 according to the promise he made to our ancestors,
to Abraham and to his descendants forever.”
56 And Mary remained with her about three months and then returned to her home.
Additional Thoughts
Thank you for meditating on this Gospel and reading this Lectio Divina on Luke 1:39-56 Reflection – My Spirit Rejoices.
Would you like to contribute related thoughts to these Lectio reflections on the Gospel readings? Since Lectio is not the only contemplative prayer style, others might appreciate these types of expressions in this ministry. Do you see God’s grandeur everywhere and unconditionally enjoy sharing the love of Christ that you have inside? Are you willing to be anonymous in what you would share? If so, email me.
Prayer for young families:
Lord, let the young families of our communities get to know your joy, peace, comfort, and love despite worldly distractions.
Attributions
*This site has permission to use the New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (NRSVCE) Bible Luke 1 passage.
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Primary Lectio Divina word or phrase: My Spirit Rejoices
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