One of the most beautiful Catholic prayers is the Magnificat. This is the prayer that Mary spoke when she visited her cousin, Elizabeth. Elizabeth was also pregnant with her first child, who would be John the Baptist. When the Angel Gabriel announced the good news to Mary about the birth of Jesus, he told her that Elizabeth, despite advanced age, was also expecting, so Mary rushed there to help her.
As Mary arrived, the child in Elizabeth’s womb jumped for joy and Elizabeth instantly knew saying, “Most blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. And how does this happen to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?” (Luke 1:42-43)
And Mary said: "My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord; my spirit rejoices in God my savior. For he has looked upon his handmaid's lowliness; behold, from now on will all ages call me blessed. The Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is his name. His mercy is from age to age to those who fear him. He has shown might with his arm, dispersed the arrogant of mind and heart. He has thrown down the rulers from their thrones but lifted up the lowly. The hungry he has filled with good things; the rich he has sent away empty. He has helped Israel his servant, remembering his mercy, according to his promise to our fathers, to Abraham and to his descendants forever. (Luke 1:46-55)
Let’s pray those words again slowly, meditating on the lesson of Mary’s prayer.
Of course, Mary sets a wonderful example by starting out with praise for God: “My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord; my spirit rejoices in God my savior.”
Praise then turns to thanks as she wonders how God could take someone of her “lowliness” and bestow such blessings: “For he has looked upon his handmaid’s lowliness; behold, from now on will all ages call me blessed. The Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is his name.”
Then she begins to enumerate the plentiful gifts God shares with all of us: “His mercy is from age to age to those who fear him. He has shown might with his arm, dispersed the arrogant of mind and heart. He has thrown down the rulers from their thrones but lifted up the lowly. The hungry he has filled with good things; the rich he has sent away empty.”
She closes with a mention of the covenants of the Old Testament that Jesus would fulfill: “He has helped Israel his servant, remembering his mercy, according to his promise to our fathers, to Abraham and to his descendants forever.”
There are so many prayer resources available for us these days. I have mentioned a few in other posts. But this is a nice structure: Praise God – Thank God for blessings – Enumerate some of the blessings – Close with some kind of Scriptural reference.
Numerous composers have set these beautiful words to music, including Bach and Mozart. Also, the story of the Visitation is the 2nd Joyful Mystery of the Rosary. It is safe to say that Catholics love this Bible verse and especially this beautiful prayer.
Lord Jesus Christ, whose name is above all names, to You we give all the glory! Thank You for all the gifts you share with us every day. You have shared Your Blessed Mother with us, and you are merciful when we go astray. You shower us with grace beyond what we could ever possibly deserve. “Lord, I am not worthy to have you enter under my roof; only say the word and my (soul) shall be healed.” (Matthew 8:8)