By now we are probably tired of waiting . . . we’ve waited and waited and then waited some more. There are times when we have waited so long that we have forgotten what we have been waiting for. Everyday life sets in and that for which we long goes to the back of our minds, our longing still there.
I’m sure it was the same with Mary. Young peasant girl, far removed from the centers of power, easily ignored by most. The promise of salvation was for her too, but her people had waited a while and most had forgotten the promise. The angel comes in to remind and to ask if she wanted to be part of God’s promise. Surprised she says yes! She “believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her by the Lord.” (Luke 1:45)
To many she would have been an unusual choice, young, unmarried, powerless. The whole affair a sure scandal, not the way you would want a savior to come. Yet that’s what God chose and that’s what sets this event apart for the ages. The act itself is a turning of the status quo, of the values that this waiting community had settled for, of the ideas of power.
This young woman recognizes this “turning of events.” Songwriter Rory Cooney in Canticle of the Turning (iTunes link) interprets it like this:
The hungry poor shall weep no more,
for the food they can never earn,
there are tables spread,
ev’ry mouth be fed,
for the world is about to turn.
The salvation that has been promised is one that will turn the world upside down. Here we remember the mountains brought down, the valleys filled up, and the crooked ways made straight. We also remember the cosmic groaning of creation for a new day and the need for our turning around to be fruit bearing.
Mary’s song of praise, of prophesy, of remembrance, bring us to reality. It reminds us that this coming is meant for the renewal/redemption/salvation of the world. And that we, each of us, is called to become the bearers of salvation, the agents of this turning for all of creation.
Maybe we too have forgotten what we are waiting for . . . maybe we too have settled into a way of life. God has not forgotten. The promise of our redemption has been fulfilled, the way has been prepared. As we near the time of celebration let us remember the radical nature of Christ’s coming in the world. More importantly let us be attentive to the re-birth of Christ in each of us, of the invading presence of the Holy Spirit that pushes us into the dangerous territory of Kingdom work.
Only then can we join in Mary’s song:
My soul magnifies the Lord,
and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
for he has looked with favor 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 forever.”
. . . . only then are we ready for the savior!
expatminister
spiritstirrer
