http://www.presentationministries.com/brochures/ChristmasPsalms.asp
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Thursday, December 22, 2011
1 Samuel 1:24-28, 1 Samuel 2:1, 4-8, Luke 1:46-56
Link to Readings --> http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/122211.cfm
FAITH-PRAISING
"My being proclaims the greatness of the Lord, my spirit finds joy in God my Savior." -Luke 1:46-47
Mary's Magnificat (Lk 1:46-55) should be compared with the songs of praise by Hannah (1 Sm 2:1-10) and Zechariah (Lk 1:68-79). While Mary's prophetic praises stand out in many ways, the greatest difference is in their contexts. Hannah praised the Lord at the presentation of Samuel. She had been through the shame of barrenness (1 Sm 1:7). The birth of Samuel had changed all that, and she had reason to praise the Lord.
Likewise, Zechariah had endured many long years of childlessness and been deaf and dumb for nine months (Lk 1:20, 62). Now his son was born, his tongue was loosed (Lk 1:64), and he had reason to praise the Lord.
In contrast, Luke puts Mary's praises at the beginning of her pregnancy. She was praising the Lord not only after her suffering but before and during her suffering. She was not only praising afterwards but praising anyway. She was praising by faith and not because she saw favorable circumstances (2 Cor 5:7).
In our prayer these last few days of Advent, we should praise the Lord in hard times. He is Lord, and His love dwarfs even the greatest sufferings.
Prayer: Father, may I praise You as did Mary, Paul, and Silas (see Acts 16:22-25).
Promise: "His mercy is from age to age on those who fear Him." -Lk 1:50
Praise: "O King of all nations, the only Joy of every human heart, O Keystone of the mighty arch of man, come and save the creature you fashioned from the dust."
(For a related teaching, order our tape Mary's Visitation" on audio AV 73-3 or video V-73.)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Rescript: In accord with the "Code of Canon Law", I hereby grant my permission to publish "One Bread, One Body" covering the period from December 1, 2011 through January 31, 2012
?Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Auxiliary Bishop, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, July 27, 2011
The rescript is a declaration that a book or pamphlet is considered to be free of doctrinal or moral error. It is not implied that those who have granted ecclesial permission agree with the contents, opinions, or statements expressed.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
You can find One Bread, One Body archives, the letter to readers, OBOB eBook edition, and an online donation form at
http://www.presentationministries.com/obob/obob.asp
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Copyright © 2011 Presentation Ministries
To add your e-mail address to this list go to
http://www.presentationministries.com/general/emailList.asp
To remove your e-mail address from this list go to
http://www.presentationministries.com/general/emailList.asp?mode=r
No comments:
Post a Comment