Luke 1: 46-55
And Mary said: My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my savior, for God has been mindful of the humble state of this servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed, for the mighty one has done great things for me -- holy is God's name. God's mercy extends to those who fear God, from generation to generation. God has performed mighty deeds with an arm; has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts, has brought down rulers from from their thrones, but has lifted up the humble, has filled the hungry with good things, but has sent the rich away empty, has helped God's servant Israel , remembering to be merciful to Abraham and Sarah and their descendants forever, just as was promised our ancestors.
and from "Response to New Trends in Religious Life:a Franciscan Experience by Ilia Delio, OSF
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Reflections
Without Mary's "yes" to God' s invitation to carry Jesus we would not be celebrating Advent. It is also helpful to remember that we too are called to give birth to Christ. In the Gospel message, Mary writes about herself: "God has been mindful of the humble state of this servant. In a section of the Delio article, she recognizes our call to name the good that exists, to identify with the good as sister or brother and to help bring Christ to birth. Our goal is to share the human condition because in solidarity of personhood we see the goodness of God shining through fragile humanity. They both see our fragility and yet call us to make Christ alive, to birth Christ from within.
We cannot see God in ordinary flesh, without seeing God first in our own human hearts. Therefore it is necessary to hold solitude, prayer and silence as important dimensions to our every day life. The pattern of Jesus' life is fundamental to life, especially the values of compassionate forgiveness, reconciliation, love and peace. In striving for these precious qualities, we are whole makers. To be saved is to attain a healthy life for a healthy compass. While I believe that Jesus is the Christ, I also believe that Christ is more than Jesus because as Word Incarnate, Christ includes every person every creature and the whole universe. Therefore what God has done to Mary, we see that what God wishes to do to each and every one of us.
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1. Are there situations where you sense a call to be a "whole-maker"?
2. How do you see the world as rich in God's blessings?
3. How do you see that the universe is incomplete, in which Christ is still coming to be?
4. What are the implications of the following belief: Our goal is to share the human condition because in solidarity of personhood we see the goodness of God shining through fragile humanity?
5. What does Advent teach you about living as a person in relationships?
6. Is there a reflection which you would like to add to questions? If so, please do.
And Mary said: My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my savior, for God has been mindful of the humble state of this servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed, for the mighty one has done great things for me -- holy is God's name. God's mercy extends to those who fear God, from generation to generation. God has performed mighty deeds with an arm; has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts, has brought down rulers from from their thrones, but has lifted up the humble, has filled the hungry with good things, but has sent the rich away empty, has helped God's servant Israel , remembering to be merciful to Abraham and Sarah and their descendants forever, just as was promised our ancestors.
and from "Response to New Trends in Religious Life:a Franciscan Experience by Ilia Delio, OSF
******************************************************************
Reflections
Without Mary's "yes" to God' s invitation to carry Jesus we would not be celebrating Advent. It is also helpful to remember that we too are called to give birth to Christ. In the Gospel message, Mary writes about herself: "God has been mindful of the humble state of this servant. In a section of the Delio article, she recognizes our call to name the good that exists, to identify with the good as sister or brother and to help bring Christ to birth. Our goal is to share the human condition because in solidarity of personhood we see the goodness of God shining through fragile humanity. They both see our fragility and yet call us to make Christ alive, to birth Christ from within.
We cannot see God in ordinary flesh, without seeing God first in our own human hearts. Therefore it is necessary to hold solitude, prayer and silence as important dimensions to our every day life. The pattern of Jesus' life is fundamental to life, especially the values of compassionate forgiveness, reconciliation, love and peace. In striving for these precious qualities, we are whole makers. To be saved is to attain a healthy life for a healthy compass. While I believe that Jesus is the Christ, I also believe that Christ is more than Jesus because as Word Incarnate, Christ includes every person every creature and the whole universe. Therefore what God has done to Mary, we see that what God wishes to do to each and every one of us.
********************************************************************
1. Are there situations where you sense a call to be a "whole-maker"?
2. How do you see the world as rich in God's blessings?
3. How do you see that the universe is incomplete, in which Christ is still coming to be?
4. What are the implications of the following belief: Our goal is to share the human condition because in solidarity of personhood we see the goodness of God shining through fragile humanity?
5. What does Advent teach you about living as a person in relationships?
6. Is there a reflection which you would like to add to questions? If so, please do.
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