luke 1: 46-55: the magnificat

The Magnificat (Latin for "[My soul] magnifies [the Lord]") is a canticle, also known as the Song of Mary, the Canticle of Mary and, in the Byzantine tradition, the Ode of the Theotokos (Greek: Ἡ ᾨδὴ τῆς Θεοτόκου). It is traditionally incorporated into the liturgical services of the Catholic Church (at vespers) and of the Eastern Orthodox churches (at the morning services). It is one of the eight most ancient Christian hymns and perhaps the earliest Marian hymn. Its name comes from the incipit of the Latin version of the canticle's text.

The text of the canticle is taken directly from the Gospel of Luke (1:46–55) where it is spoken by Mary upon the occasion of her Visitation to her cousin Elizabeth. In the narrative, after Mary greets Elizabeth, who is pregnant with John the Baptist, the latter moves within Elizabeth's womb. Elizabeth praises Mary for her faith (using words partially reflected in the Hail Mary), and Mary responds with what is now known as the Magnificat.

Within the whole of Christianity, the Magnificat is most frequently recited within the Liturgy of the Hours. In Western Christianity, the Magnificat is most often sung or recited during the main evening prayer service: Vespers in the Catholic and Lutheran churches, and Evening Prayer (or Evensong) in Anglicanism. In Eastern Christianity, the Magnificat is usually sung at Sunday Matins. Among Protestant groups, the Magnificat may also be sung during worship services, especially in the Advent season during which these verses are traditionally read.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magnificat 

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Domenico_ghirlandaio,_visitazione,_louvre_01.jpg

Domenico Ghirlandaio [Public domain]

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James Tissot [Public domain]

"My soul magnifies the Lord. And my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour." 
Luke 1: 46-47



our souls are like a telescope. if we orient our souls correctly, towards God, then our soul magnifies God. we see God's greatness, sovereignty and majesty, wisdom and justice, mercy and love. we see the beauty of God's creation, including mankind.

if we don't orient our souls correctly, then it's like looking through the wrong end of a telescope. we can't see God's greatness and the beauty of God's creation. 

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Thirty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time

Reading 1     WIS 11:22-12:2

Before the LORD the whole universe is as a grain from a balance
or a drop of morning dew come down upon the earth.
But you have mercy on all, because you can do all things;
and you overlook people's sins that they may repent.
For you love all things that are
and loathe nothing that you have made;
for what you hated, you would not have fashioned.
And how could a thing remain, unless you willed it;
or be preserved, had it not been called forth by you?
But you spare all things, because they are yours,
O LORD and lover of souls,
for your imperishable spirit is in all things!
Therefore you rebuke offenders little by little,
warn them and remind them of the sins they are committing,
that they may abandon their wickedness and believe in you, O LORD!


Responsorial Psalm    PS 145:1-2, 8-9, 10-11, 13, 14

R. (cf. 1) I will praise your name for ever, my king and my God.
I will extol you, O my God and King,
and I will bless your name forever and ever.
Every day will I bless you,
and I will praise your name forever and ever.
R. I will praise your name for ever, my king and my God.
The LORD is gracious and merciful,
slow to anger and of great kindness.
The LORD is good to all
and compassionate toward all his works.
R. I will praise your name for ever, my king and my God.
Let all your works give you thanks, O LORD,
and let your faithful ones bless you.
Let them discourse of the glory of your kingdom
and speak of your might.
R. I will praise your name for ever, my king and my God.
The LORD is faithful in all his words
and holy in all his works.
The LORD lifts up all who are falling
and raises up all who are bowed down.
R. I will praise your name for ever, my king and my God.


Reading 2     2 THES 1:11-2:2

Brothers and sisters:
We always pray for you,
that our God may make you worthy of his calling
and powerfully bring to fulfillment every good purpose
and every effort of faith,
that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you,
and you in him,
in accord with the grace of our God and Lord Jesus Christ.

We ask you, brothers and sisters,
with regard to the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ
and our assembling with him,
not to be shaken out of your minds suddenly, or to be alarmed
either by a "spirit," or by an oral statement,
or by a letter allegedly from us
to the effect that the day of the Lord is at hand.

Alleluia     JN 3:16

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
God so loved the world that he gave his only Son,
so that everyone who believes in him might have eternal life.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.


Gospel     LK 19:1-10

At that time, Jesus came to Jericho and intended to pass through the town.
Now a man there named Zacchaeus,
who was a chief tax collector and also a wealthy man,
was seeking to see who Jesus was;
but he could not see him because of the crowd,
for he was short in stature.
So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore tree in order to see Jesus,
who was about to pass that way.
When he reached the place, Jesus looked up and said,
"Zacchaeus, come down quickly,
for today I must stay at your house."
And he came down quickly and received him with joy.
When they all saw this, they began to grumble, saying,
"He has gone to stay at the house of a sinner."
But Zacchaeus stood there and said to the Lord,
"Behold, half of my possessions, Lord, I shall give to the poor,
and if I have extorted anything from anyone
I shall repay it four times over."
And Jesus said to him,
"Today salvation has come to this house
because this man too is a descendant of Abraham.
For the Son of Man has come to seek
and to save what was lost." 

http://usccb.org/bible/readings/110319.cfm

image by Martin LaBar

Jesus speaks to Zacchaeus, who is in a tree | Scan from a 19… | Flickr

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psalm 40

For the leader. A psalm of David.

A

Surely, I wait for the LORD; who bends down to me and hears my cry,

Draws me up from the pit of destruction, out of the muddy clay,

Sets my feet upon rock, steadies my steps,

And puts a new song in my mouth, a hymn to our God.
Many shall look on in fear and they shall trust in the LORD.

Blessed the man who sets his security in the LORD, 

   who turns not to the arrogant or to those who stray after falsehood. 

You, yes you, O LORD, my God, have done many wondrous deeds!
And in your plans for us there is none to equal you.

Should I wish to declare or tell them, too many are they to recount. 

Sacrifice and offering you do not want; you opened my ears.

Holocaust and sin-offering you do not request; so I said, 

“See; I come with an inscribed scroll written upon me.
I delight to do your will, my God; your law is in my inner being!”

When I sing of your righteousness in a great assembly,

See, I do not restrain my lips; as you, LORD, know. 

I do not conceal your righteousness within my heart;
I speak of your loyalty and your salvation.
I do not hide your mercy or faithfulness from a great assembly.
LORD, may you not withhold your compassion from me;

May your mercy and your faithfulness continually protect me.

B

But evils surround me until they cannot be counted.
My sins overtake me, so that I can no longer see.
They are more numerous than the hairs of my head; my courage fails me.
LORD, graciously rescue me! Come quickly to help me, LORD!

May those who seek to destroy my life be shamed and confounded.
Turn back in disgrace those who desire my ruin.

Let those who say to me “Aha!”

Be made desolate on account of their shame.

While those who seek you rejoice and be glad in you.

May those who long for your salvation always say, “The LORD is great.”

Though I am afflicted and poor, my Lord keeps me in mind.
You are my help and deliverer; my God, do not delay!  

psalm 40 

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Psalm_40_from_the_Sidney_Psalms.jpg

attribution: Philip and Mary Sidney, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

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tortured

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James Tissot [Public domain]

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how can I keep from singing?

Hallelujah!
Sing to the LORD a new song, his praise in the assembly of the faithful.
Let Israel be glad in its maker, the people of Zion rejoice in their king.
Let them praise his name in dance, make music with tambourine and lyre.
For the LORD takes delight in his people, honors the poor with victory.
Let the faithful rejoice in their glory, cry out for joy on their couches,
With the praise of God in their mouths, and a two-edged sword in their hands,
To bring retribution on the nations, punishment on the peoples,
To bind their kings in shackles, their nobles in chains of iron,
To execute the judgments decreed for them—such is the glory of all God’s faithful.
Hallelujah!

psalm 145

How Can I Keep From Singing - Audrey Assad - YouTube 

My life flows on in endless song; Above earth's lamentation,

I hear the sweet, tho' far-off hymn, That hails a new creation;

Thro' all the tumult and the strife, I hear the music ringing;

It finds an echo in my soul—How can I keep from singing?

What tho' my joys and comforts die? The Lord my Saviour liveth; 

What tho' the darkness gather round? Songs in the night he giveth.

No storm can shake my inmost calm, While to that refuge clinging;

Since Christ is Lord of heaven and earth, How can I keep from singing?

I lift my eyes; the cloud grows thin; I see the blue above it;

And day by day this pathway smooths, Since first I learned to love it,

The peace of Christ makes fresh my heart, A fountain ever springing;

All things are mine since I am his—How can I keep from singing?

How Can I Keep from Singing? - Wikipedia

File:Robert Lowry.JPG - Wikipedia

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Luke 7: 36-50: “Simon, I have something to say to you.”

A Pharisee invited him to dine with him, and he entered the Pharisee’s house and reclined at table. Now there was a sinful woman in the city who learned that he was at table in the house of the Pharisee. Bringing an alabaster flask of ointment, she stood behind him at his feet weeping and began to bathe his feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them, and anointed them with the ointment. When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this he said to himself, “If this man were a prophet, he would know who and what sort of woman this is who is touching him, that she is a sinner.” Jesus said to him in reply, “Simon, I have something to say to you.” “Tell me, teacher,” he said. “Two people were in debt to a certain creditor; one owed five hundred days’ wages* and the other owed fifty. Since they were unable to repay the debt, he forgave it for both. Which of them will love him more?” Simon said in reply, “The one, I suppose, whose larger debt was forgiven.” He said to him, “You have judged rightly.” Then he turned to the woman and said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? When I entered your house, you did not give me water for my feet, but she has bathed them with her tears and wiped them with her hair. You did not give me a kiss, but she has not ceased kissing my feet since the time I entered. You did not anoint my head with oil, but she anointed my feet with ointment. So I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven; hence, she has shown great love. But the one to whom little is forgiven, loves little.” He said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.” The others at table said to themselves, “Who is this who even forgives sins?” But he said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.” 

Luke 7: 36-50 

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Luke_7-36-50._At_the_house_of_Simon_the_Pharisee,_He_rejecteth_not_the_love_and_service_of_a_sinful_woman,_but_rather_forgiveth_her_LOC_matpc.23126.jpg

Hole, William, 1846-1917 [Public domain]

image by Sharon Tate Soberon

"Which will Love Him More?" ~ Luke 7:42 | "Are you grateful … | Flickr

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psalm 51

For the leader. 

A psalm of David, when Nathan the prophet came to him 

after he had gone in to Bathsheba. 

I

Have mercy on me, God, in accord with your merciful love;
in your abundant compassion blot out my transgressions.
Thoroughly wash away my guilt;
and from my sin cleanse me.
For I know my transgressions;
my sin is always before me. 

Against you, you alone have I sinned;
I have done what is evil in your eyes
So that you are just in your word,
and without reproach in your judgment.

Behold, I was born in guilt,
in sin my mother conceived me.

Behold, you desire true sincerity;

and secretly you teach me wisdom.
Cleanse me with hyssop, that I may be pure;
wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.

You will let me hear gladness and joy;

the bones you have crushed will rejoice.

II

Turn away your face from my sins;

blot out all my iniquities.
A clean heart create for me, God;
renew within me a steadfast spirit.

Do not drive me from before your face,
nor take from me your holy spirit.
Restore to me the gladness of your salvation;
uphold me with a willing spirit.
I will teach the wicked your ways,
that sinners may return to you.
Rescue me from violent bloodshed, God, my saving God,
and my tongue will sing joyfully of your justice.
Lord, you will open my lips;
and my mouth will proclaim your praise.
For you do not desire sacrifice or I would give it;
a burnt offering you would not accept.
My sacrifice, O God, is a contrite spirit;
a contrite, humbled heart, O God, you will not scorn.

III

Treat Zion kindly according to your good will;

build up the walls of Jerusalem.
Then you will desire the sacrifices of the just,
burnt offering and whole offerings;
then they will offer up young bulls on your altar. 

image by New Life Church Collingwood

Psalm 51-1 | New Life Church Collingwood | Flickr

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Jesus is the light of the world

“I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” 
john 8:12

“Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the road broad that leads to destruction, and those who enter through it are many. How narrow the gate and constricted the road that leads to life. And those who find it are few." 
matthew 7: 13-14

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sin

when we adopted our rescue cat nicholas from the shelter, we picked him because he looked like he needed a friend--"grumpy cat". he was in the back of his cage. I touched his blanket. nicholas pulled his blanket back, i.e. "don't touch that". Jenny has been a cat person all of her life. there's no one better to deal with a cat with an attitude than Jenny. 

nicholas is young and rambunctious. he tears around the house, jumps onto furniture, knocks stuff on the floor, etc. we don't discipline nicholas. he's a cat. he doesn't speak our language and we don't speak his. that's not to say that Jenny doesn't talk to nicholas. she tells him not to jump on the table, kitchen counter, etc.--in a "conversational" tone rather than an angry tone. amazingly, nicholas gets it. he seems to understand that tearing around the house, slamming into things, jumping on the table, etc. are no-nos. 

sin is defined as an immoral act considered to be a transgression against divine law. divine law is God's law. how can we know God's law? there's the bible. there's our conscience. but, who really knows God's mind? could it be that God considers some of our actions as "learning experiences" rather than an "immoral act" and/or a "transgression" against His "divine law"? 

sometimes the church "pontificates"--quick to tell us what are immoral acts and transgressions against God's divine law. we know what the bible says about that:
"Let the one among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her."
john 8:7

image by Kahunapule Michael Johnson

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1 john 1:9: "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."

image by Scripture As Art

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abortion

recently I reconnected with an old high school buddy. eventually, the subject of politics came up. I discovered that my old high school buddy is a "dyed in the wool" liberal democrat. 

I'm neither republican nor democrat. I believe that george washington's prediction that political parties could be the undoing of our country has come true. 

hillary clinton said during the 2016 campaign for POTUS that a baby can be killed as long as the baby hasn't exited the birth canal. but for a few inches and a couple of minutes, the child goes from being not protected from murder by law to being protected from murder by law. does this make sense to you? 

I am not an apologist for the catholic church. on the contrary, I believe that had my parents been able to know what was going on in the catholic church during my lifetime, then my siblings and I wouldn't be catholic today. I consider myself Christian--not catholic. 

both my high school buddy and I had daily religion class all through grade school and high school. it's a mystery to me how my old friend, who had the same catholic education that I did, doesn't think that abortion is murder. however, I didn't need the catholic church for me to know that abortion is murder. just a bible, God-given intellect and a conscience. 

from 1970 through 2015, 45,789,558 abortions have been reported to the CDC. (Abortion statistics in the United States - Wikipedia) as of july 1, 2018, california, our most populous state, had an estimated population of 39,557,045. (List of states and territories of the United States by population - Wikipedia) can you imagine more than the entire population of california being killed by abortion?

I don't condemn those women who had abortions. I'm a sinner--a grievous sinner. only God knows what's in our hearts. I do know that our merciful Lord, the spotless Lamb of God, took the just punishment for our sins upon Himself so that we could be worthy to enter the kingdom of God. if we are sorry for our sins and beg for God's forgiveness, then our merciful God will forgive us. 

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can you imagine the joy in heaven?

Jesus ascending to heaven

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John Singleton Copley [Public domain]

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luke 17: 11-19: "your faith has saved you."

As Jesus continued his journey to Jerusalem,
he traveled through Samaria and Galilee.
As he was entering a village, ten lepers met him.
They stood at a distance from him and raised their voices, saying,
"Jesus, Master! Have pity on us!"
And when he saw them, he said,
"Go show yourselves to the priests."
As they were going they were cleansed.
And one of them, realizing he had been healed,
returned, glorifying God in a loud voice;
and he fell at the feet of Jesus and thanked him.
He was a Samaritan.
Jesus said in reply,
"Ten were cleansed, were they not?
Where are the other nine?
Has none but this foreigner returned to give thanks to God?"
Then he said to him, "Stand up and go;
your faith has saved you."

luke 17: 11-19 

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James Tissot [Public domain] 

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letter to God

what if, after we die, we have to write a letter to God entitled "what I learned during my life"? kind of like the letter that college applicants write when they apply for admission. 

here's my draft:

Dear God,

I learned many things during my life. 

in the beginning my "world" was small--me, my mom, my dad, my older sister, close relatives (grandparents, aunts and uncles, cousins). my parents fed me, clothed me, changed my soiled diapers. they loved me. 

it wasn't long before I learned about "free will". I realized that I could be good or I could be bad (later my mom told me that it's called the "terrible twos"). I learned that my sisters and brother have "free will" too. 

when I began school my "world" grew. I learned that my classmates and friends have "free will". I learned that the older that I got, the harder it was for me to "be good". too often I chose to "be bad".

in school I learned about our planet, the sun, other planets in our solar system, other stars, other galaxies, the universe, and many other things. I learned more about You. I learned that You made everything that exists, ever existed, or will exist. I learned that You made me and that You want me to "be good" so that I can live with You forever in heaven. 

after college I learned that being a good person is probably the most difficult thing that many of us will ever try to do. sometimes I was a good husband and sometimes I wasn't. sometimes I was a good example for my children and at other times I wasn't. sometimes I was a good friend, employee, coworker, Christian, child of God, and at other times I wasn't. the older that I got, the more that I realized how difficult it is for me to "be good" at work and at home. many times I fail to "be good". 

in my later years I "relearned" what I should have "known" since before grade school. that there's hope for those who, like me, have chosen to "be bad". that You sent Your only Son to take the just punishment for my sins upon Himself, and die a horrible death, so that I could live forever with You in heaven.

I'm sorry, God, for having chosen so many times to "be bad". thank You for loving me anyway. 

RIDING TO SOMERSET | Seth Werkheiser | Flickr

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