Luke 1:47-55
Preaching
A Journey Through the Psalms: Reflections for Worried Hearts and Troubled Times
Preaching the Psalms Cycles A, B, C
Object:
A common gift to young children is a magnifying glass. At first, the kids look at pieces of bread or spots on the floor. They peer into each other's eyes and look at their skin, all in a kind of awe at the way the world can look differently through this piece of glass. Then, inevitably, they come to find that they can hold this glass in the sunlight and it is capable of burning things! At first, it's just little pieces of wood, but then temptation enters the picture and all kinds of things -- and even creatures -- fall victim to the unchecked childish use of the magnifying glass.
It turns out that our souls are much like the magnifying glass. Our souls can magnify almost anything we choose. In a confrontation or crisis, one's soul can magnify anger or vengeance. When tragedy befalls us, our souls can magnify grief, confusion, and pain. In the face of injustice, our souls can magnify what we think is righteous anger. What things, over our lives, have our souls magnified? It is a moment of self-reflection worth taking, because the truth is that we get to choose what our souls magnify.
In Mary's case, she isn't just making a passing statement. She has made a choice. She says with fervor and deep, deep commitment, "My soul magnifies the Lord." Of all the choices before me or all the things I could do with my soul, I choose for it to magnify the Lord!
Indeed, much of scripture is laid out for us in the context of choices such as this. When we say the Lord's Prayer every Sunday, few realize that a choice is being articulated. "Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name...." In praying this prayer, a choice is made, a destiny set, a pathway taken. Of all the things, names, and would-be gods, we choose to hallow the name of the God of Israel, the God of Jacob, the Abba, or Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Tonight, as we gather at the stable door, let us -- with Mary -- make the choice. In this birthing hour, and in the hours and days to come, may our souls magnify the Lord!
It turns out that our souls are much like the magnifying glass. Our souls can magnify almost anything we choose. In a confrontation or crisis, one's soul can magnify anger or vengeance. When tragedy befalls us, our souls can magnify grief, confusion, and pain. In the face of injustice, our souls can magnify what we think is righteous anger. What things, over our lives, have our souls magnified? It is a moment of self-reflection worth taking, because the truth is that we get to choose what our souls magnify.
In Mary's case, she isn't just making a passing statement. She has made a choice. She says with fervor and deep, deep commitment, "My soul magnifies the Lord." Of all the choices before me or all the things I could do with my soul, I choose for it to magnify the Lord!
Indeed, much of scripture is laid out for us in the context of choices such as this. When we say the Lord's Prayer every Sunday, few realize that a choice is being articulated. "Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name...." In praying this prayer, a choice is made, a destiny set, a pathway taken. Of all the things, names, and would-be gods, we choose to hallow the name of the God of Israel, the God of Jacob, the Abba, or Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Tonight, as we gather at the stable door, let us -- with Mary -- make the choice. In this birthing hour, and in the hours and days to come, may our souls magnify the Lord!
