Reflections

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Audley Methodist Church

 

 

‘And Mary said…’ Luke 1.46-55. 

 

 THE SONG OF MARY – THE MAGNIFICAT.

 

 I was able to candidate successfully for the Methodist ministry in 1953. I was totally unprepared emotionally and

intellectually for the next step, which was three years study at a Methodist theological college. Each day began with prayers in college chapel. I can remember leaving the chapel on that first occasion and coming face to face with a portrait of a woman. The title of this painting was called ‘The Annunciation’ and I hadn’t a clue what the word meant. So began my

uphill struggle to become fit to be called a Methodist Minister. This is the first time I have ever preached or written about the Magnificat since that shattering experience.

 

 Luke is the Gospel writer we have to thank for the Magnificat. He was an overseas reporter who travelled the known world in pursuit of interesting news items. He visited Palestine having heard of the Jesus movement that was beginning to make an impact on the Roman Empire. It would seem that among the people he interviewed was Mary the mother of Jesus. There was much talk at the time of the promised coming of a Messiah to save his people Israel. There were many songs sung of this long expected coming of their Saviour. It is likely that Mary sang one of these solos for Luke and he copied down the words for all time.

 

 As we repeat or sing this song of Mary in our acts of worship we rejoice with her in God’s many blessings. Recognizing all the things that our generous God has done for us his people should make us humble and grateful and less conscious of our rights and more of the rights of others. Striving to see justice is done and that no one starves, for our God has created a world in which the needs of all his people can be met.

 

 Finally, let us take in the awful warning that comes with repetition of the Magnificat,

 

 ‘God has filled the hungry with good things

and sent the rich away empty.’

Rev’d. John Bromley

A weekly reflection on a Bible verse or passage by Rev’d. John Bromley.