Today’s Reading: Luke 1:39-56
Daily Lectionary: Joshua 7:1-26; Acts 10:34-48
And his mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation. (Luke 1:50)
In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Nobody likes it, but at least we understand when sinners get hurt by their sin. But what about when you can’t figure out whose fault it is? The “church answer” is that the world was broken by Adam’s sin. It’s true. It just doesn’t do much to address that hollow feeling in your stomach that comes from not being able to do anything about it. Or the anger from trying to believe in a God who says He can do something, but doesn’t seem to. For all the talk about His love, His forgiveness, His miracles, things still look pretty much the same.
This Christmas text doesn’t seem helpful. Today, we step back to a Mary who would have gotten pregnant around the end of March in order to give birth around the end of December. She’s pregnant and visiting Elizabeth, probably right around the beginning of June. The Visitation which we celebrate today is carried out by the same God who shaped creation with a Word. Even while being knit together in Mary’s womb, He is on a mission to right what has been wronged. Mary sings it in the Magnificat. It’s not about what’s fair. It’s about help for those wronged by sin. Mary sings hope for you.
You. Wrecked one. Damaged by sin that goes so deep it’s in the air we breathe and ground into the earth we stand on. You will find a God who looks upon those who are humbled and gives mercy. Who fills the hungry and helps His servant Israel. Those who are knocked down and scattered aren’t getting their karma, this isn’t economic redistribution. The difference between those brought down and those lifted up is one thing and one thing only. His mercy is on those who fear Him. His mercy is for you and all who believe.
He sees you. Your struggles. Your humiliation. This mess referred to as “your estate.” He regards you in mercy. John knows it and rejoices even as he, too, is being formed. God doesn’t work by stepping back from creation to do something different, but steps towards you, whom He loves. What is wrong is made right again in bearing that destruction Himself upon the Cross and rising whole and new. In a world that doesn’t look like it should–yet–we can know what’s coming and sing Mary’s hymn, too. Our souls magnify the Lord because even now while we wait, our Lord regards us in mercy, and He acts. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.
My soul now magnifies the Lord; My spirit leaps for joy in Him. He keeps me in His kind regard, And I am blest for time to come. (“My Soul Now Magnifies the Lord” LSB 934, st.1)
Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor Duane Bamsch
