On july 29 of this year, on the feast of mary and martha of bethany, the episcopal church in which i am priest will mark the thirtieth anniversary of that glorious rebellion in philadelphia in which eleven fierce women who felt called to the priesthood submitted themselvesin. But mary also may be a descendent herself of david of the tribe of judah on her fathers side 1. Two common titles for mary derive from elizabeth s prophetic insights. Were working through this greatest story ever told this month, the stories immediately prior to and about the birth of jesus christ recorded in luke chapters 1 and 2, and there are four particular passages that were looking at. This is the name by which our prayers are heard and accepted by god john 16. Luke, chapter 1 united states conference of catholic bishops. But on a second level of meaning martha was acting as a deacon at a eucharistic celebration. This can be seen, for example, when joseph and mary present jesus in the temple as an infant, the prophet simeon tells mary that a sword will pierce her heart luke 2. The firsttwo chapters of the gospel abound with people praying and praising god and. As with the other two canticles in luke 12 the benedictus and the nunc dimittis, the words of the magnificat come from numerous passages in the old testament. There, the magnificat was a part of the evening prayer in the book of common prayer, and. Bible verse the saviorhas been born today in bethlehem luke 2. Something about mary a reflection on the mary and martha story in luke 10.
Were working through this greatest story ever told this month, the stories immediately prior to and about the birth of jesus christ recorded in luke chapters 1 and 2. As jesus embarked on his public ministry, mary followed and remained with him all the days of his life. In verses 4649, mary praises god for his mercy as expressed toward her. Henry morris explains how we know this genealogy is marys. Luke gives an account of the virgins dialogue with the angel at the annunciation lk 1. There are all together four different occasions when marys words are recorded in the bible.
In matthews account of jesuss birth, pride of place is given to marys fiance, joseph. The only time that jesus speaks as a child in the new testament is recorded in luke s infancy narrative 2. As with the other two canticles in luke 12 the benedictus and the nunc. Jesus circumcision and mary s churching of women luke 2. Amazing facts about saint luke that will blow you away. In lukes gospel, mary speaks this canticle immediately upon greeting her cousin elizabeth, who is also expecting. In the book of common prayer evening prayer service, it is usually paired with the nunc dimittis. Two common titles for mary derive from elizabeths prophetic insights. This word was used in both stories about martha and mary, in lukes and johns gospels. The gospel of luke and acts give us the essential framework for the beginning of an authentic study of mary. She was present at his incarnation, crucifixion and. The magnificat is a canticle, also known as the song of mary, the canticle of mary and, in the. With a loud voice, elizabeth called out, god has blessed you more than other women.
The first attribute mary speaks of is the might and power of god. As one the primary matriarchal figures of scripture, mary played a prominent role as the mother of jesus christ. Indeed, the hail mary prayer as well as several mysteries of the rosary are derived from lukes gospel. First disciple mary, mother of god catholic online. Now, i think that a natural result of being thoughtful, and being knowledgeable, of being filled with the word of god, is being thoughtful about others. While at notre dame, luke studied theology and german with a minor in medieval studies. Her words are powerful and hold lessons we can learn today. Luke will not write of things about which christians may safely differ from one another, and hesitate within themselves.
Blessed virgin mary is a title commonly used by catholic christians. Having heard elisabeth speak, as above related, she likewise was filled with the holy ghost, and under his influence uttered extempore a hymn, remarkable for the beauty of its style, the sublimity of its sentiments, and the spirit of piety which runs through the. The specific form and themes of mary s praise closely resemble those in hannah s prayer in 1 samuel 2. The gospel of luke and acts give us the essential framework for the. Mary was a direct descendant of king david which gave jesus the right to ascend the jewish throne, both through mary and through adoption by his foster father, joseph. Indeed, the hail mary prayer as well as several mysteries of the rosary are derived from luke s gospel. The angel gabriel spoke to mary about the birth of jesus. Mary and elizabeth celebrate their part in gods plan.
We know that mary s relative elizabeth was a descendent of the original high priest, aaron, of the tribe of levi 1. If i say, surely the darkness will cover me and the light around me turn tonight. But mary also may be a descendent herself of david of the tribe of judah on her father s side 1. Though he has not yet been born, she wants to sing his praises and magnify his name. Luke sees the life and mission of jesus christ as a visitation from god. The only time that jesus speaks as a child in the new testament is recorded in lukes infancy narrative 2. Of the four gospels, lukes is the only one to speak of marys song. Little is known about luke, the author of the books of luke and acts in the bible. We know that marys relative elizabeth was a descendent of the original high priest, aaron, of the tribe of levi 1. What is marys song and what does it teach modern readers. R c sproul devotionals gospel of luke transcripts from ligonier. A prayerbook for every child of god thiefels, henry p on. Mary, in answering the angel, calls herself a bond slave to the most high god. Luke speaks of marys role in christs life and the sacrifices that she voluntarily made in order to usher in gods plan of salvation for mankind.
Mary, the mother of the lord, is primarily a believer who has been with jesus from his. And only luke gives us the words of marys prayer in the magnificat which is our indispensable basis for meditation on all five joyful mysteries of the rosary. We do know he was a physician and the only gentile to write any part of the new testament. While slightly less formal, the service is based on the episcopal book of common prayer, and holy eucharist communion is celebrated each sunday. Marys response to this was, like zachariass response when he could finally speak again, a song. It s a great joy, this morning, to return to the gospel of luke. Predominantly from the gospel, find the numerous references to mary in our list of bible verses below. Below the song is a series of questions about this reading.
Jesus circumcision and marys churching of women luke 2. Marys god was god almighty, the creator of the ends of the earth. I have to stay with this or we will all go to heaven in chapter 3. Using multimedia technology and a full praise band, we offer a spiritfilled experience for all ages. Part of an email bible study on the gospel of luke, helping contemporary. The prayer of mary mary, mother of god catholic online. Poems by women from the ancient world are very rare. She never left the temple but worshipped there with fasting and prayer night and day. Elizabeth, her cousin, was six months pregnant at the time. What came about in bodily form in mary, the fullness of the godhead shining through christ in the blessed virgin, takes place in a similar way in every soul that has been made pure. Mary and elizabeth knew that jesus came to save us. From now on all generations will call me blessed, for the mighty one has done great things for me holy is his name. Unlike zechariah, mary did not doubt gods power to make this incredible thing happen.
O mary, protectress of our faith, hear our prayer and ask your beloved son to receive our faith into his sacred hands. In the gospel of luke, prayer, praise and blessing are often linked to the presence of the holy spirit. Mary and elizabeth celebrate their part in gods plan lesson 2. Nevertheless, im interested in how this prayer expresses much of what we know about mary from luke 1. Jun, 2011 luke also includes the story of mary visiting her pregnant cousin elizabeth, which gives us a rare glimpse into female friendship and familial support, and he alone has the beautiful magnificat, marys hymn of praise. Pauls letter to the colossians draws a distinction between luke and other colleagues of the circumcision, meaning the jews colossians 4. Her love and care for her son, the son of god, can serve as a great example for mothers today. She accompanied joseph to bethlehem, where jesus was born according to catholic and eastern christian teachings, at the end of her earthly life her body. In fact, luke is the gospel that features the most direct quotations from mary herself. The gospels of matthew and luke in the new testament and the quran describe mary as a virgin. This gospel is a christcentered proclamation to christian believers of all times. Dec 14, 2002 if you have your bibles, id invite you to turn with me to luke, chapter 1, the 46 th verse.
The service begins on page 116 of the book of common prayer. Those who are hospitable to our lord, such as the sinful. Mary was completely willing to be used by god to accomplish. The tunes and the words remind us of what this season is all about. This is the first word of marys song in the latin vulgate, and means to magnify. Luke also includes the story of mary visiting her pregnant cousin elizabeth, which gives us a rare glimpse into female friendship and familial support, and he alone has the beautiful magnificat, marys hymn of praise.
Now mary arose in those days and went into the hill country with haste, to a city of judah, and entered the house of zacharias and greeted elizabeth. And mary said under a prophetic impulse, several things which perhaps she herself did not then fully understand. In the vulgate translation, fiat is used in the form of a present subjunctive. The facts of mary s life, the fear in mary s heart, the wonder in mary s mind, and the submission in mary s spirit.
It is also known as the canticle of mary in the liturgy of the hours, a special collection of scripture readings, psalms, and hymns that constitute what is known as the prayer of the church. This prayer book is dedicated to mary, the mother of mercy. The magnificat and mary said, my soul magnifies the lord, and my spirit rejoices in god my savior, for he has looked on. They are what make the christmas season so special and memorable. My soul glorifies the lord and my spirit rejoices in god my savior, for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant.
The virgin mary was the first evangelizer and the first disciple of her son, jesus christ. Marys magnificat, recorded only in lukes gospel, is one of four hymns, distilled from a collection of early jewishchristian. The bible says that as soon as elizabeth heard marys voice, the baby inside her jumped for joy. The key to understanding marys response to the annunciation lies in her use of fiat in luke 1. Mary has just received the shocking news from the angel gabriel that she will bear a son, and luke tells us that after the angel departed from her, mary set out and traveled to the hill country in haste to a town of judah. Mary speaks about a god who reverses things, who is capable of overturning. According to christian theology she conceived jesus through the holy spirit while still a virgin. His mercy extends to those who fear him, from generation to generation. Ask him to hide our faith in his wounds and protect it from all evil. The angel gabriel told mary that she was going to have a baby, and to call him jesus. She is praising the god who has chosen her to be the mother of his only son.
She speaks of a time when all will enjoy the good things given by god. While this may not refer only to the saving work which messiah will come to accomplish, surely it includes. Its a great joy, this morning, to return to the gospel of luke. Marys role in the spiritual life church life journal. Marys pittenger center at 701 southeast ocean blvd. When elizabeth heard marys greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and elizabeth was filled with the holy spirit. Only luke gives us the parables of the good samaritan, the prodigal son and the rich man and lazarus. What a privilege for mary to hear the angel speak the name of jesus. If you have your bibles, id invite you to turn with me to luke, chapter 1, the 46 th verse. The angel appears to him, and mary receives little more than an honorable mention matthew 1. In the following interview, he speaks on his relationship with the blessed mother, generously sharing graced insights gathered from years of devotion. He alone is able, and with him alone nothing is impossible.
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