(Excerpt from a homily by Saint Bede the Venerable, priest)
Song of Songs 2:8-14 / Luke 1:39-56
Mary proclaims the greatness of the Lord working in her soul
“My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior.” With these words Mary first acknowledges the special gifts she has been given. Then she recalls God’s universal favors, bestowed unceasingly on the human race.
When a man devotes all his thoughts to the praise and service of the Lord, he proclaims God’s greatness. His observance of God’s commands, moreover, shows that he has God’s power and greatness always at heart. His spirit rejoices in God his Savior and delights in the mere recollection of his Creator who gives him hope for eternal salvation.
These words are often used for all God’s creations, but especially for the Mother of God. She alone was chosen, and she burned with spiritual love for the son she so joyously conceived. Above all other saints, she alone could truly rejoice in Jesus, her Savior, for she knew that He Who was the source of eternal salvation would be born in time in her body, in one person both her own son and her Lord.
“For the Almighty has done great things for me, and holy is His name.” Mary attributes nothing to her own merits. She refers all her greatness to the gift of the one whose essence is power and whose nature is greatness, for He fills with greatness and strength the small and the weak who believe in Him.
She did well to add: “and holy is His name,” to warn those who heard, and indeed all who would receive His words, that they must believe and call upon His name. For they too could share in everlasting holiness and true salvation according to the words of the prophet: and it will come to pass, that everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. This is the name she spoke of earlier: “…and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior.”
Therefore it is an excellent and fruitful custom of holy Church that we should sing Mary’s hymn at the time of evening prayer. By meditating upon the incarnation, our devotion is kindled, and by remembering the example of God’s Mother, we are encouraged to lead a life of virtue. Such virtues are best achieved in the evening. We are weary after the day’s work and worn out by our distractions. The time for rest is near, and our minds are ready for contemplation.
Let us pray.
Happy are you who have believed,
because the Lord’s promises will be accomplished in you.
And Mary said:
R. My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord.
Come, and listen,
and I will tell what great things God
has accomplished for me.
R. My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord.
Te Deum
You are God: we praise You;
You are the Lord: we acclaim You;
You are the eternal Father:
All creation worships You.
To You all angels, all the powers of heaven,
Cherubim and Seraphim, sing in endless praise:
Holy, holy, holy, Lord, God of power and might,
heaven and earth are full of Your glory.
The glorious company of apostles praise You.
The noble fellowship of prophets praise You.
The white-robed army of martyrs praise You.
Throughout the world the holy Church acclaims You:
Father, of majesty unbounded,
Your true and only Son, worthy of all worship,
and the Holy Spirit, advocate and guide.
You, Christ, are the king of glory,
the eternal Son of the Father.
When you became man to set us free
you did not spurn the Virgin’s womb.
You overcame the sting of death,
and opened the kingdom of heaven to all believers.
You are seated at God’s right hand in glory.
We believe that You will come, and be our judge.
Come then, Lord, and help Your people,
bought with the price of Your own blood,
and bring us with Your saints
to glory everlasting.
V. Save Your people, Lord, and bless Your inheritance.
R. Govern and uphold them now and always.
V. Day by day we bless You.
R. We praise Your name for ever.
V. Keep us today, Lord, from all sin.
R. Have mercy on us, Lord, have mercy.
V. Lord, show us Your love and mercy;
R. for we put our trust in You.
V. In You, Lord, is our hope:
R. and we shall never hope in vain.
Prayer
Eternal Father,
You inspired the Virgin Mary, mother of Your Son,
to visit Elizabeth and assist her in her need.
Keep us open to the working of Your Spirit,
and with Mary may we praise You for ever.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son,
who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.
Let us praise the Lord. And give Him thanks.
Amen.
