Mary said:
“My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord; my spirit rejoices in God my savior, for he has looked upon his lowly servant. From this day all generations will call me blessed; the Almighty has done great things for me, and holy is his Name. He has mercy on those who fear him in every generation. He has shown the strength of his arm, and has scattered the proud in their conceit. He has cast down the mighty from their thrones and has lifted up the lowly. He has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent away empty.
He has come to the help of his servant Israel for he remembered his promise of mercy, the promise he made to our fathers, to Abraham and his children for ever.”
Mary remained with Elizabeth about three months and then returned to her home.
Today was the Magnificat…. Mary’s song in praise of God. The reading made me think about God’s intervention in the world. It would make sense that he intervenes for his own purposes OR when we are seeking intervention that aligns with his purposes. I remember reflecting on Matthew 22:21 “Then render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's; and to God the things that are God's” and recognising the importance of making that distinction in our lives. When are we seeking that which is in Caesar’s realm and when are we seeking that which is in God’s realm? The reading made me focus on prayer and how prayer that is self-focused is very often rendering unto Caesar. It would make no sense for God to grant us favours that move him further away from us. In my mind, that would include prayers asking for material success, prayers asking for the strength and courage to defeat an enemy in war and prayers asking for us to be saved from floods and cyclones. Each of these seems self-centered and seem to feed the ego and for that reason, seem to fall into the realm of Caesar’s. On the other hand, the moment prayer is for the intention of others, it seems to tick a different box. Eg. We could be praying that our side in war is fair, humane and adhere to the rules of just war. We could be praying for the safety of others in our community and that the disaster helps us to discover Christ in ourselves and in others.
ReplyDeleteIf you look at the start of the Magnificat, it is a wonderful example of a prayer of thanks and gratitude. That seems to be prayer at the next level. We are not asking for anything. In fact, we are being thankful for God’s blessings and simultaneously making a commitment to use these blessings to make the world a better place, one encounter att a time.
The Magnificat then moves to the next level again. Mary shows faith in God to bring justice - “He has mercy on those who fear him in every generation. He has shown the strength of his arm, and has scattered the proud in their conceit. He has cast down the mighty from their thrones and has lifted up the lowly. He has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent away empty.”
The prayer this inspires in me is:
Lord, thank you for my gifts and talents. May I use these to be an instrument of your peace. Where there is hatred, let me sow love. Where there is doubt, faith; despair , hope; darkness, light; and sadness, joy. Divine master, grant that I not so much seek to be consoled as to console. To be understood as to understand. To be loved as to love. For it is giving that I receive. It is in pardoning that I am pardoned. And it is in dying that I am born to eternal life. (Borrowing from Prayer of St Francis)
I found your reflection on the Magnificat very insightful and thought-provoking. Your focus on the distinction between prayers driven by ego and those aligned with God's purposes is particularly interesting. Here are some thoughts I have on your ideas:
DeleteDistinguishing Caesar's realm from God's:
I agree that self-centered prayers focused on material gain, personal victory, or avoidance of hardship could be considered falling into Caesar's realm. However, I wouldn't entirely write off prayers for strength or safety. If such prayers come from a place of seeking to use those strengths for good or trusting in God's ultimate plan, they could still align with God's purposes.
The key seems to lie in the underlying motivation behind the prayer. Is it driven by fear, greed, or ego, or does it stem from a desire to serve God and help others? This determines whether it aligns with Caesar's realm or God's.
Levels of prayer:
I like your observation on the different levels of prayer in the Magnificat. Starting with gratitude and thanksgiving sets a beautiful stage for deeper engagement.
Your prayer inspired by Mary's words is truly moving. The focus on using your gifts for peace, love, understanding, and service perfectly embodies the essence of what prayer can be. It's not about demanding from God, but about aligning oneself with God's will and becoming an instrument of love and grace in the world.
Additional thoughts:
The question of "rendering to Caesar" could also be explored in the context of social justice issues. Prayers for the alleviation of poverty, oppression, and inequality could be seen as aligning with God's desire for a just and equitable world.
Ultimately, the beauty of prayer lies in its personal and intimate nature. Each individual's relationship with God is unique, and what constitutes a "good" prayer can vary greatly. The important thing is to approach prayer with sincerity, humility, and an open heart.
I commend you for your thoughtful reflection on this beautiful and inspiring passage. Your ideas offer valuable food for thought about the essence of prayer and our relationship with God.
Remember, these are just some thoughts to add to your own insightful reflections. It's important to continue exploring these questions and finding your own way to connect with the divine through prayer.