What thoughts did Mary reflect upon? Were they sentimental? If you were having a baby in a barn, sentimental thoughts would not be uppermost in your mind. Were Mary's thoughts contemplative, mystical, or profound? Possibly, but we cannot know for sure. Were Mary's thoughts full of anger? Mary had reason to be angry since she was forced to have her baby in a stable, but we know that Mary did not sin. Therefore, if her thoughts were of anger, they were of righteous anger (see Eph 4:26).
Of course, no one can tell what was on Mary's mind. The only extended statement in the Bible on which to base any conclusions about Mary's thoughts is her "Magnificat." In Luke 1:46-55, Mary praised the Lord and then proclaimed a revolution. She prophesied: "[The Lord] has shown might with His arm; He has confused the proud in their inmost thoughts. He has deposed the mighty from their thrones and raised the lowly to high places. The hungry He has given every good thing, while the rich He has sent empty away" (Lk 1:51-53). Mary called for a revolution not through physical violence but through humility. This revolution was made possible by her Son Jesus, Who is a Sign of contradiction for the rise and fall of many (Lk 2:34).
For years, many of us have been making and breaking New Year's resolutions. Change an "s" to a "v", and make a New Year's revolution in Jesus. This will make "Happy New Year" not just a wish, but a reality.
| PRAYER: | Father, use Christians to turn this upside-down world right-side up (see Acts 17:6). |
| PROMISE: | "The Lord bless you and keep you! The Lord let His face shine upon you, and be gracious to you! The Lord look upon you kindly and give you peace!" –Nm 6:24-26 |
| PRAISE: | Praise You, Jesus, Son of God and Son of Mary! |
Reprinted with permission from Presentation Ministries, a lay association of the Catholic Church that focuses on evangelization and discipleship through Bible teaching, daily Mass, the charisms of the Holy Spirit, and Small Christian Community. Their ministries include:
· One Bread, One Body
· Daily Bread Radio Program
· Annual Bible Institute
· Discipleship Retreats
· Guadalupe Bible College