Read Luke 1:39-55

Thursday

Read Luke 1:39-55

39 Soon afterwards Mary got ready and hurried off to a town in the hill country of Judea. ⁴⁰She went into Zechariah’s house and greeted Elizabeth. ⁴¹When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby moved within her. Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit ⁴²and said in a loud voice, “You are the most blessed of all women, and blessed is the child you will bear! ⁴³Why should this great thing happen to me, that my Lord’s mother comes to visit me? ⁴⁴For as soon as I heard your greeting, the baby within me jumped with gladness. ⁴⁵How happy you are to believe that the Lord’s message to you will come true!”

46 Mary said,

“My heart praises the Lord;

⁴⁷my soul is glad because of God my Saviour,

⁴⁸for he has remembered me, his lowly servant!

From now on all people will call me happy,

⁴⁹because of the great things the Mighty God has done for me.

His name is holy;

⁵⁰from one generation to another

he shows mercy to those who honour him.

⁵¹He has stretched out his mighty arm

and scattered the proud with all their plans.

⁵²He has brought down mighty kings from their thrones,

and lifted up the lowly.

⁵³He has filled the hungry with good things,

and sent the rich away with empty hands.

⁵⁴He has kept the promise he made to our ancestors,

and has come to the help of his servant Israel.

⁵⁵He has remembered to show mercy to Abraham

and to all his descendants for ever!”

Think

He has... scattered the proud... brought down mighty kings... lifted up the lowly... filled the hungry... sent the rich away with empty hands.

- Luke 1:51-53

Mary's prayerful rejoicing makes me a bit nervous... am I a proud person who needs scattering?  A rich person who will be sent away empty?

Pray

Lord, help me to know myself - help me to know what work you need to do in my heart.  Do you need to scatter my pride?  Send me away empty?  Teach me more compassion and grace?