With Christmas just around the corner, I read Mary's song today; commonly called the Magnificat, from the first word in the Latin translation of her song. (Luke 1:46 - 55) I also quietly listened this morning to two Christmas songs that feature Mary, sung by an Irish singer. One is fairly well known: "Breath of Heaven". The other I have not heard before titled "Magnificat", with a nice musical rendition of the first sentences of Mary's words.
It is good to again pause and think about Mary's burden, her "trial" in bearing the One born of the Holy Spirit. Supported by Joseph, encouraged by Elizabeth, nonetheless her road in those first nine months was not an easy one. How lonely she at times must have felt. We don't really know what inner feelings and thoughts troubled her, nor how much social ostracism she may have experienced. All we can affirm is that her experience was indeed unique among women. And the blessing/trial of being the mother of our Lord did not stop, if ever, until after Jesus rose from the dead.
Trial and blessing; pain and joy; they do go together for believers. James talks about it: "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. ---".(1:2, 3). Peter writes about it: "Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed."(I Peter 4:12, 13) Paul affirms the same thing: "Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance, perseverance, character; and character , hope."(Romans 5:3)
Thinking about Mary's difficult road; living presently in a land of much suffering; knowing of friends who presently are suffering; I am thankful for clear biblical teaching and biblical models. Trials and blessings do go together - even if in the worst times, even if, at the time, the blessings portion may be hard to discern.
It is good to again pause and think about Mary's burden, her "trial" in bearing the One born of the Holy Spirit. Supported by Joseph, encouraged by Elizabeth, nonetheless her road in those first nine months was not an easy one. How lonely she at times must have felt. We don't really know what inner feelings and thoughts troubled her, nor how much social ostracism she may have experienced. All we can affirm is that her experience was indeed unique among women. And the blessing/trial of being the mother of our Lord did not stop, if ever, until after Jesus rose from the dead.
Trial and blessing; pain and joy; they do go together for believers. James talks about it: "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. ---".(1:2, 3). Peter writes about it: "Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed."(I Peter 4:12, 13) Paul affirms the same thing: "Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance, perseverance, character; and character , hope."(Romans 5:3)
Thinking about Mary's difficult road; living presently in a land of much suffering; knowing of friends who presently are suffering; I am thankful for clear biblical teaching and biblical models. Trials and blessings do go together - even if in the worst times, even if, at the time, the blessings portion may be hard to discern.
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