Mary's Song of Praise

Homily for the Feast of the Visitation

Mary’s song of praise acknowledges the special gifts she has been given. As it has become such an integral part of our daily prayer, it is also a song of praise that acknowledges all of the gifts that we have been given through God’s universal love for us.

When we devote all our thoughts to praise and service of the Lord, we proclaim God’s greatness. When we observe God’s commands, moreover, we show that we have God’s power and greatness always at heart. Our spirit rejoices and delights in the mere recollection of our creator who gives us hope for eternal salvation.

Because these words are special words from the Mother of God, for she alone was chosen, she demonstrates the spiritual love for her son which 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.

Mary also teaches us that nothing can be attributed to our own merits. She refers all her greatness to the gift of the one whose essence is power and whose nature is greatness. Indeed, God fills with greatness and strength of the small and of the weak who place their faith in God.

She blesses God’s holy name to warn those who hear God’s word that they must believe and call upon God’s name. For they too could share in everlasting holiness and true salvation according to the words of the prophet, “that everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

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 when 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.

Frequently, the church turns to Mary’s song of praise as the Gospel text for Eucharistic celebrations. This gives us yet another opportunity to delight in God our Savior and to recall that it is through the Eucharist, our greatest prayer, that we remember all the good things that God has done for us.