On August 15^th Christian churches observe the Festival of the Virgin Mary or the Feast of the Assumption.  Mary has been referred to by many beautiful names:  Blessed Virgin, Mother of God, Queen of Heaven, and the Madonna.  

When I think of Mary my thoughts go first to the beautiful words of the Magnificat, Mary’s response to the angel’s announcement that she would bear a son and he would be the son of God.  We read her words in Luke 1:46-55.  She begins with the well know words, “My soul magnifies the Lord.”

My soul – not my mind which no doubt is struggling to understand, but her soul.   From the depths of her soul her words come forth.

Magnifies – gives glory to God, honors him as the greatest of all.  In Mary’s heart God is made fuller and greater as she willingly welcomes him with her readiness to serve.

Now how about my soul?   Am I so busy sending requests to the Lord that I fail to give him glory?  Am I so disappointed when his answers are not to my liking or timing that I harbor doubts about his almighty power?  Like Mary let me “magnify” my Lord.  His unconditional love is present, even when we can’t see it.   Each of us, you and I, can follow Mary’s example to magnify our Lord so that his place in our hearts will be fuller and greater.

I hope you enjoy this arrangement of the Magnificat by David Haas.

Peace,

Judy