Picture the Bible Reflection for April 30, 2021
This week we’re looking at “The Annunciation.” You can read the story here: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke%201%3A26-56&version=NIV
Mary’s song is referred to as The Magnificat. When I think of her sharing these words, I imagine her dancing around with such elation. She has accepted the will of God and focuses not on any potential negative that she will encounter, but only the positive. We can look at her words and think about what they may say about different things like war, immigration, poverty, disease, hunger, homelessness, racism and so forth. Let’s use poverty as a focus to think about what her words may say about it.
“My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour, for he has looked with favour on the lowliness of his servant.”
God does not discriminate from the rich or the poor, he favours good people.
“Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed; for the Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is his name. His mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation.”
I like to consider replacing the word ‘fear’ with love or faithful to or committed to. Imagine all the people of the world experiencing the mercy of God, especially when life is challenging. If the mercy of God is for those who are impoverished, then they will receive what they need. I think it’s also a call for us who have more than enough, to carry mercy in our hearts and share with others.
“He has shown strength with his arm; he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts.”
I’m not really sure I know anyone who think they have everything figured out, who does not have compassion in their hearts and a willingness to share. But hear, I think it’s a warning for those who may be of that mindset – to be humble as circumstances can change in a heartbeat.
“He has brought down the powerful from their thrones, and lifted up the lowly; he has filled the hungry with good things, and set the rich away empty.”
Sometimes, the simplest and poorest way of life can make us the richest in a variety of ways. And sometimes the richest can be the poorest in different areas of life. Maybe it’s in having ‘real people’ surround you verses ‘yes people’ surround you. Maybe the poorest people are richer because they have more time with family whereas the richer people are poorer because they are focused on work, by choice. What could you define as riches the lives of impoverished people?
“He has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy, according to the promise he made to our ancestors, to Abraham and to his descendants forever.”
God promised to love the people then and that promise lives on for eternity.
If you could focus on something your soul could glorify God for, what might that be? And could you choose something different each day?
Here’s a version of “The Magificat” by Koine Music: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iqeY7JQ4rAg
Let us pray:
Glorious and wondrous God, we thank you for the most amazing things you give to us in our lives. Help us to find ways in which we are rich in our lives, not financially, but in other ways. Help us to remember that you made promises to those long before us and that those promises are still made for us today. No matter what life throws at us, you are there for us to carry us and guide us through to the other side. Help us to remain faithful and committed to you, being mindful that it also means we have to be committed and faithful to helping to bring your kingdom here on earth, to all people in all places. Give us strength, curiosity, courage and creativity to make that happen. Be with us today and all our days. Amen.
This week we’re looking at “The Annunciation.” You can read the story here: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke%201%3A26-56&version=NIV
Mary’s song is referred to as The Magnificat. When I think of her sharing these words, I imagine her dancing around with such elation. She has accepted the will of God and focuses not on any potential negative that she will encounter, but only the positive. We can look at her words and think about what they may say about different things like war, immigration, poverty, disease, hunger, homelessness, racism and so forth. Let’s use poverty as a focus to think about what her words may say about it.
“My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour, for he has looked with favour on the lowliness of his servant.”
God does not discriminate from the rich or the poor, he favours good people.
“Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed; for the Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is his name. His mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation.”
I like to consider replacing the word ‘fear’ with love or faithful to or committed to. Imagine all the people of the world experiencing the mercy of God, especially when life is challenging. If the mercy of God is for those who are impoverished, then they will receive what they need. I think it’s also a call for us who have more than enough, to carry mercy in our hearts and share with others.
“He has shown strength with his arm; he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts.”
I’m not really sure I know anyone who think they have everything figured out, who does not have compassion in their hearts and a willingness to share. But hear, I think it’s a warning for those who may be of that mindset – to be humble as circumstances can change in a heartbeat.
“He has brought down the powerful from their thrones, and lifted up the lowly; he has filled the hungry with good things, and set the rich away empty.”
Sometimes, the simplest and poorest way of life can make us the richest in a variety of ways. And sometimes the richest can be the poorest in different areas of life. Maybe it’s in having ‘real people’ surround you verses ‘yes people’ surround you. Maybe the poorest people are richer because they have more time with family whereas the richer people are poorer because they are focused on work, by choice. What could you define as riches the lives of impoverished people?
“He has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy, according to the promise he made to our ancestors, to Abraham and to his descendants forever.”
God promised to love the people then and that promise lives on for eternity.
If you could focus on something your soul could glorify God for, what might that be? And could you choose something different each day?
Here’s a version of “The Magificat” by Koine Music: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iqeY7JQ4rAg
Let us pray:
Glorious and wondrous God, we thank you for the most amazing things you give to us in our lives. Help us to find ways in which we are rich in our lives, not financially, but in other ways. Help us to remember that you made promises to those long before us and that those promises are still made for us today. No matter what life throws at us, you are there for us to carry us and guide us through to the other side. Help us to remain faithful and committed to you, being mindful that it also means we have to be committed and faithful to helping to bring your kingdom here on earth, to all people in all places. Give us strength, curiosity, courage and creativity to make that happen. Be with us today and all our days. Amen.