He has shown strength with his arm; he has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts. He has brought down the powerful from their thrones and lifted up the lowly.
Luke 1: 51-52
These verses come from Mary’s radical declaration of faith and trust in God known as the Magnificat. After Mary, newly pregnant with the Son of God, visits her cousin Elizabeth, she praises God not only for God’s mercy on the lowly, but for God’s justice that bends toward those in need.
Even though the Roman Empire cruelly oppresses God’s people in Israel, Mary announces God’s enduring faithfulness and grace. Didn’t Mary know the world is an unfair, harsh, cruel place? Mary will live to see her own son executed at the hands of that same empire, while Jesus’ disciples flee and hide in fear.
The world is still cruel and unfair. We can just turn on the television to find examples of suffering, hunger, and fear. Everywhere around us people are struggling to survive. There is war still all across our globe. Floods or fires or other natural disasters inundate the news cycle with horrifying pictures of destroyed homes. The evening news reports are more and more devastating. It is hard to have faith. It is hard to believe that good will win over evil.
As people of God, we see the injustice everywhere, but we also see God’s work in redeeming the world. Like Mary, we trust in God’s mercy. We have faith in God’s promises. We are blessed by God’s grace. Mary witnessed Jesus’ death, but she was also present for Jesus’ resurrection. God does not abandon us to the darkness. Because of Jesus, we know that evil cannot win.
Dear God, thank you for Mary’s radical witness and her bold words. Help us to declare your glory to the world, trusting in your mercy and grace. Grant us courage to face injustice and the peace that comes from knowing Jesus. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Heidi Shilanskas is Director of Faith Formation and Discipleship at Star of Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Bethlehem, and a seminarian at United Lutheran Seminary.
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