Praise from the Soul

This story is the highlight of Advent for me, and Mary’s response in the first verse of the Magnificat-“My soul . . . and my spirit . . .”-is for me the most genuine expression of praise to God in all of scripture.

A young woman in her mid-teens, engaged, having been told by an angel she would be the mother of Jesus, the bringer of God’s eternal kingdom, visits her aging, barren relative, Elizabeth, who is six months pregnant. When Mary greets Elizabeth the child in Elizabeth’s womb leaps for joy.

Here are two women, a youth and a senior, experiencing the union of God’s presence in soul and spirit, and Mary puts it into words. “My soul makes the Lord great in me and my spirit is jubilant and thankful in God my saviour.” Wow!

Soul and spirit can be used interchangeably in most of scripture but both words occur here as if to say, “My life and my breath are one with God.” Wow!

There are abundant opportunities for our spirits and souls to merge with God’s goodness: in worship, in nature, in loving relationships, in times of prayer and studying the scriptures. May we use them.

God, my Saviour, touch my soul, breathe into my spirit, that I may praise you with my life. Amen. — RH