It is evident that on some Sundays, the lectionary readings seem to fit together better. On some other Sundays, we hardly connect the readings. In today's readings, I see God magnified and exulted. God is magnified through words, testimonies, and through songs of praise. It is remarkable, though, that a theme one person finds sitting in their lap may not jump out to others.
In the Old Testament reading of Isaiah, we hear of God's mighty power - God "brings princes to naught and makes the rulers of the earth as nothing." God "renews those who wait upon him."
And the Psalmist's song is a song of praise. The words are, perhaps, an expression of the Psalmist's personal view of God Almighty. The Psalmist reveals God to those who await God's gracious favor". Not the proud and the powerful but those who "wait" for God's favor. How comforting!!!
Mary's words in the Magnificat - resonate with these comforting words. She may have used Isaiah's words or the Psalmist's to express her deep understanding of the might of God – the God who "casts down the mighty and lifts the lowly." Mary's words echo Isaiah v 23 and Psalm 147:6. These most revolutionary words sung by Mary help us trust that the eventual upending of the unjust systems of the world will become a reality through Christ.
In Mark's gospel, we hear Jesus revealing his ministry. The news of the healing of Simon's mother-in-law, the cure of the sick, and the demon-possessed spread quickly, and the "whole city" gathers to catch glimpses of Jesus' miraculous healings. They witnessed and experienced Jesus actions that tells of his power – the power to cast demons and bring 'Good News' to the poor and oppressed. Jesus used the occasion not only to demonstrate God's might and mercy on those who fear God, but also to introduce his ministry. In clean and short words, he told his disciples, "What you've seen "is what I came out to do." Yes - He came to demonstrate to those rulers of the world that God has the last word.
In the letter to the Corinthians, Paul reveals to the Christians that they have God Almighty who calls them to be faithful, the God who demands that they show no partiality but to love each other. As Paul admonishes, we who live in the post-resurrection life are to preach the Good News not simply for our gain but also for those who will hear it anew.
In baptism and at the end of each gathering of the faithful, we are sent into the world to witness 'God's love,' God's love is the Good News that Jesus came to demonstrate. Spreading the 'Good News' does not always occur from a pulpit on a Sunday morning. Our actions tell more than our words that we, God's children, love and fear God, and our act of love and care for one another confirm that we are potential witnesses of Jesus's Ministry – to bring Good News to all people. AMEN!