We begin this week,  our exploration of the Canticle of Mary, chanted each night during Evening Prayer or Vespers. 
“My Soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord, my spirit rejoices in God my Savior for he has looked with favor on his lowly servant.” (Luke 1: 46)
   Advent is coming, the time when we hear choirs here and elsewhere sing many beautiful adaptations of the Magnificat (Mary’s Song). One year, Cheyenne Chamber Singers sang two different settings of Mary’s eloquent proclamation from Luke in a single concert. Luke is the only gospel containing Mary’s song--It’s found in the first chapter, verses 45-55. The Latin translation of “Magnificat” is “my soul magnifies the Lord”, a verb which itself speaks volumes. Mary, a devout Jewish girl, completely without status or wealth, has nevertheless has been given the task of the century--bearing and birthing the Savior of the World. Her very simplicity is why God is so great—he uses the least of these to fulfill his plan to redeem a fallen world.
      As Mary greets Elizabeth, she bubbles over with praise for God. She abandons her quiet unassuming manner and instead boldly enumerates God’s mighty deeds, demonstrating how the sheer lowliness of her circumstances makes God’s actions even greater. In keeping with his tendency to put the last first and elevate the humble, God has entrusted modest, faithful Mary not just to be mother to his Son, but to endure all the suffering that he will inevitably endure. Just before Mary’s speech, Elizabeth marvels at her coming, saying, “Why is this granted me, that the mother of my lord should visit me?” She acknowledges that her humble young niece is carrying the Savior of the world.  Moreover, as Mary answers, “My spirit rejoices in my Savior”, Elizabeth’s unborn son leaps in her womb for joy. This infant is rejoicing at being in the presence of the mother of his Savior.   
Written by Paula Egan-Wright, cantor, music teacher, storyteller and composer

In this 28th Sunday in Ordinary Time, we too should be rejoicing as we come to the banquet.  Whatever is lacking in ourselves will be supplied by God. 

" You spread the table before me in the sight of my foes ; you annoint my head with oil ; my cup overflows. "(Psalm 23)