Praying the Magnificat 9
Luke 1:54 “He has helped his servant Israel, remembering to be merciful …”
Mary had already been told that her son was more than just a child. That it was God coming to the world for a throne, to reign and to build a kingdom. She understands that He is firstly coming to her nation and she chooses descriptive words that are used by the earlier prophets: “But you, Israel, my servant … from its farthest corners I called you. I said, ‘You are my servant’; … I will strengthen you and help you.” (Isaiah 41:8-10)
He is coming to help in remembrance of His mercy.
Mercy is more than sympathy, pity and forgiveness. It is that but it rushes past and out of those expressions. It is possible to sympathise, have pity and even forgive without doing anything. Mercy needs an act for it to be mercy.
Mercy is not self-seeking or trying to win an argument or prove a point. It is not trying to gain but is in fact accompanied by losing.
Those who show mercy look weaker in our aggressive culture. Mary knew this is what was inside her. She was hosting His presence and this was mercy.
This was the help coming to Israel and to the world.
Prayer
Merciful God who came and gave everything.
I see that if I truly want your presence in my life then I am welcoming mercy to dwell in me.
Forgive my defensive, over sensitive, prickly responses to people around me. Forgive my desire to be right.
I lay my life down for others. I offer my life as an act of mercy to those who hurt me.
I think of ways to show mercy to those who suffer.
I choose to suffer for the suffering.
In doing so I host your presence.
Amen
