Friday 15 August 2025

Today is Friday the 15th of August, the feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, in the 19th week of Ordinary Time. Juliano Ravanello sings the Magnificat, the song of Mary: “My soul glorifies the Lord. My Spirit rejoices in God my Saviour. He looks on his servant in her lowliness. Henceforth, all ages will call me blessed.” As I listen, can I sense the Lord looking on me in my lowliness, and can I rejoice in him and in all that he does for me? (Lyrics currently unavailable) Today’s reading is from the Gospel of Luke. Luke 1:39-56 In those days Mary set out and went with haste to a Judean town in the hill country, where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the child leapt in her womb. And 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. And why has this happened to me, that the mother of my Lord comes to me? For as soon as I heard the sound of your greeting, the child in my womb leapt for joy. And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfilment of what was spoken to her by the Lord.’ And Mary said, ‘My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour, for he has looked with favour 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. He has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy, according to the promise he made to our ancestors, to Abraham and to his descendants for ever.’ And Mary remained with her for about three months and then returned to her home. Today we celebrate the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Mary’s Assumption celebrates her being taken, body and soul, into heaven — a sign of hope for all. The scripture for today reminds us of her lifelong faith, humility, and openness to God. For some elements of scripture, it can be helpful to try to experience the scene imaginatively. This beautiful encounter holds so much that using the imagination can reveal something ‘more’. You are walking with Mary as she sets out to visit Elizabeth. Feel the rough path underfoot, hear the wind and birds in the air. You walk beside her, a young woman full of grace. It is a long journey, one of many for Mary, and suggests her determination, her commitment to her mission. What feelings arise for you at the beginning of this journey? Arriving, at last, at the house of Zechariah and the moment where Mary greets Elizabeth, and the child in Elizabeth’s womb leaps. “Blessed are you among women…” Take a moment to share in this encounter. What is your response? Witness to Mary’s response - not filled with pride, but with a profound humility and a song—the Magnificat. As you hear the passage again, let her voice echo in your mind. Perhaps you can sense God's promise alive in your life? And Mary said, ‘My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour, for he has looked with favour 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. He has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy, according to the promise he made to our ancestors, to Abraham and to his descendants for ever.’ And Mary remained with her for about three months and then returned to her home. ‘My spirit rejoices in God my Saviour.’ In this time of prayer, sing from your own soul your response to Mary’s song. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be World without end Amen

Friday 15 August 2025 - My spirit rejoices in God my Saviour

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