I suggested in this morning’s sermon that a spiritual practise to try this week is to take Mary’s song (the Magnificat) and to pray it through each day when eveing comes.
Here is the text which can be found in the first chapter of Luke’s Gospel:
‘My soul magnifies the Lord,
and my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour,
for he has looked with favour on the lowliness of his servant.
Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed;
for the Mighty One has done great things for me,
and holy is his name.
His mercy is for those who fear him
from generation to generation.
He has shown strength with his arm;
he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts.
He has brought down the powerful from their thrones,
and lifted up the lowly;
he has filled the hungry with good things,
and sent the rich away empty.
He has helped his servant Israel,
in remembrance of his mercy,
according to the promise he made to our ancestors,
to Abraham and to his descendants for ever.’
[New Revised Standard Version – the translation of the Bible which we read in St Mary’s each week].
I prefer the text that is usually used in choral settings.
You mean the Prayer Book one?
(Memories of telling a young woman in her 20s about the Benedicite. “What’s that?” she said. I explained, and then said, “It’s in the Prayer Book.” “What’s that? she said . . . )
The one sung (exceptionally well by the Cathedral Choir) at evensong this evening.
Thanks to Kelvin, but primarily Mother Dunoon….