My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord...

Today, the Catholic Church celebrates the feast of the Assumption of Mary, and for this I am very grateful. I absolutely love Marian feasts - after all, she is our mother too. And Mary's response to her cousin, Elizabeth, that is read in today's Gospel just tugs at my heart every time I hear it - such a beautiful prayer:

The Magnificat

My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord, 

my spirit rejoices in God my Savior 

for he has looked with favor on his lowly servant. 

From this day all generations will call me blessed: 

the Almighty has done great things for me, 

and holy is his Name. 

He has mercy on those who fear him 

in every generation. 

He has shown the strength of his arm, 

he has scattered the proud in their conceit. 

He has cast down the mighty from their thrones, 

and has lifted up the lowly. 

He has filled the hungry with good things, 

and the rich he has sent away empty. 

He has come to the help of his servant Israel 

for he remembered his promise of mercy, 

the promise he made to our fathers, 

to Abraham and his children forever. 

(Lk 1:46-55)

This passage also reminds me of a song that I've heard in various Churches around the country. It takes its lyrics from this very Gospel:

1. My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord, 

and my spirit exalts in God my Savior. 

For he has looked with mercy on my lowliness, 

and my name will be forever exalted. 

For the mighty God has done great things for me, 

and his mercy will reach from age to age. 

And holy, holy, 

holy is his name. 

2. He has mercy in ev’ry generation. 

He has revealed his power and his glory. 

He has cast down the mighty in their arrogance, 

and has lifted up the meek and the lowly. 

He has come to help his servant Israel; 

he remembers his promise to our fathers.

And holy, holy,

holy is his name.

What an incredibly beautiful model we have in Mary - so humble, so open, and so faithful. Let us celebrate our mother today and always.