Sabbath Devotional :: Voiced Admiration

Bach – Magnificat BWV 243 – VanVeldhoven | Netherlands Bach Society

It’s a little nerdy to have a favorite gospel, but I do: I’ve been a huge fan of the book of Luke for a long time. Among the writers of the gospels, Luke is the renaissance man, he’s educated and artsy. His writing mentions women more than any other and his book is beautifully constructed to incorporate songs and praise rich in theology. Especially acclaimed is the song found in Luke 1:46-55.

This famous passage is called the “Magnificat.” It is spoken from the viewpoint of Mary, the mother of Jesus, who says, “My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed, for the Mighty One has done great things for me—holy is his name.“ At the time these words are spoken, Mary is in the home of Elizabeth and the two are rejoicing together over the work of the Lord. It seems significant here, that praise happened at home, shared between two friends, on an ordinary day. (Well, ordinary except that they were pregnant with Jesus and John the Baptist, respectively.) Let us be mindful of the occasions we have to be worshipful amongst the mundane and to share that with those closest to us, that praise may be a lifestyle, not a special occasion.

Then, Mary’s praise is personal. The first words are, “My soul exalts the Lord” and later she says, “the Mighty One has done great things for me.” It is right to reflect upon and testify of the things the Lord has done specially for us as individuals.

She does not stop there, however. The first three verses are personal, but the remaining six verses speak of God’s acts on a greater scale, acknowledging his faithfulness to those who fear him, his judgment for those who do not, his reign over governments, and his justice in dealing with the rich and poor.

“His mercy extends to those who fear him, from generation to generation. He has performed mighty deeds with his arm; he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts. He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble. He has filled the hungry with good things but has sent the rich away empty. He has helped his servant Israel, remembering to be merciful to Abraham and his descendants forever, just as he promised our ancestors.” (Luke 1:50-55)

Mary acknowledges God’s presence in the past, present and future. She praises him for his mercy, his might, and his commitment to his people. This scope of worship is impressive.

As a culture, Latter Day Saints could spend more time telling God what we like about him. We often hear prayers begin with expressions of gratitude, but it’s not the same as really reflecting on the character of God and voicing our admiration. It’s a practice that might feel awkward at first, but when I try it, my spirit gets excited. In fact, I believe it to be the base of true reverence.

Lately I’ve found myself humming the primary song that begins “Reverence is more than just quietly sitting . . . ” and I’m aware that reverence is not an absence of something: it’s not the absence of wiggling or the absence of talking or the absence of scrolling through Instagram during church (although those things might be byproducts of true reverence). Reverence is the presence of something, an awareness and awe of God.

Mary’s awe of God is apparent in her words and it’s contagious. I share in her reverence as I read them and sing them. She makes me crave the connection with a close friend that would allow us to extemporaneously praise God together on a random afternoon. And, I’m inspired to find ways to make praise a personal practice of mine, elevating my soul with energetic reverence.