February 29, 2004	Read Luke 1:46-55:1-9
And Mary said, “My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has looked with favor on the lowliness of this servant.”
INNOCENCE RECLAIMED The Magnificat of Mary is refulgent with poetic beauty.  An exultant hymn of praise, she proclaimed it with the joy of being chosen to bear the Savior of the world. “Magnificat” comes from the Latin root meaning “great.”  The dictionary lists the first and most common use of the word “magnify” as ”to make greater in size, status or importance.” We live in a fiercely competitive world, where bigger is not only better, but is touted as the goal of mega-consumers –- bigger pizza, sanchos, houses, TVs, and insurance policies.  The fourth and final meaning of magnify–- listed as an “archaic” one -– is “to glorify and praise.”  How interesting that the original meaning of the word should become the least in usage. Adam’s longing or loneliness was relieved only by the companionship of Eve.  He had no family history and relinquished his happy future.  I remember my 4-year-old daughter asking me if Adam and Eve had a belly button.  Astonished at her wise curiosity, I replied, “They didn’t need one because they didn’t have a mommy to give them one.”  They were the only humans who never had a mother, and God decided this would never happen again.  Mary as the mother of the Savior became the mother of all the human race.  She proclaimed this Good News by the humble offering of her entire life.  Jesus had no place to rest His head, but Mary had no place to rest her heart.  This “lowly servant,” Mary, was the retrieval and amelioration of humanity’s lost innocence. We too should humble ourselves beyond “bigger” to live that “archaic” Magnificat throughout our lives, answering with Elizabeth: “...Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb, Jesus.” Mary, mother of God, let us share with your joyful humility the Good News of salvation.  JOANNE EHRLICH

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