Today’s Gospel offers the seed of Mary’s complete faith in God’s plan. This seed is her song, the Magnificat. Pope Leo XIV points to the wonder of this praise,

The Magnificat, which the Gospel places on the lips of the young Mary, now radiates the light of all her days.  One single day — the day she met her cousin Elizabeth — contains the seed of every other day, of every other season. And words are not enough; a song is needed, one that continues to be sung in the Church “from generation to generation” (Lk 1:50), at the close of every day

Every time we gather for Evening Prayer and sing her Magnificat, our faith is renewed through the words of the Virgin Mary.

Here are two takeaways from the Magnificat:

First, Mary’s words point us to a life lived in the Beatitudes. She invites us to trust God. God will cast down the mighty from their thrones, the rich sent away empty, and all God’s promises will be fulfilled.

This song is a reminder of God’s closeness to us. Father Martin Descalzo speaks of two hidden heavens, meditation in the Virgin Mary:

“Nadie notó en Nazaret
lo que estaba sucediendo:
que teníamos dos cielos,
uno arriba, otro creciendo.
¡Qué envidia me tuvo el cielo
durante los nueve meses!
Él albergó al Dios eterno.
Yo tenía al Dios creciente”

The rough English translates:

"No one in Nazareth noticed
what was happening:
that we had two heavens,
one above, the other growing.
How envious heaven was of me
during those nine months!
It sheltered the eternal God.
I held the growing God."

Second, the Magnificat is a warning to all who are arrogant and wealthy! The Magnificat is a poem that speaks clearly of Mary’s disposition. She understands her Son in a way that no one else does. She is not a silent Virgin. She is a mighty warrior announcing that her Son will tear down the rich and raise the humble.

We need the faith of Mary. We need our faith to be formed by the Magnificat. In Mary’s words, we find strength and courage to stand up for the weak and forgotten. Stand up, make haste, and imitate the boldness of Mary to bring her Son to others.

As Christmas draws near, ask Mary to give us her daring heart. Let us be like Elizabeth, and from the depths within, leap for joy. Our Savior is coming, and it is his courageous Mother who brings him to us.