7th day Simbang Gabi Reflection , 22nd December

MAGNIFICAT

Introduction

At times we are so focused in an image of Mary who is
always well-composed, stress-free and a very calm person. We
forget that she is also human like us. When the angel Gabriel announced
God’s plan for her, she was greatly troubled. “Hail full of grace, the
Lord is with you… You shall bear a child and will name him Jesus.” I
guess Mary’s response could be “DAH!!! Why me? Don’t you think I’m
bit too young for that big responsibility.” Anyways, who could ever say
No… I mean here you are faced with an Angel, “shinning, shimmering,
splendid.” I guess to her shocked she said, “Ok… whatever!” Yup, not
very clear in her mind… but one thing is crystal clear… “I trust you,
because you said God wants me.”

Afterwards, she went to Elizabeth. She took this opportunity to
reflect. What have I done? I guess, it was along the journey that she
realized the gravity of her saying “Yes”. And so she was all the more
troubled. She was very much scared. How could my parents understand
and accept this? What will my fiancée do in case he discovers I’m
pregnant? How will my country men receive me, they thought I’m a
very modest girl and now I’m pregnant out-of-wedlock?

When she saw Elizabeth, it was there she realized that indeed
what the angel told her was true. The impossible became a reality. When
Elizabeth saw her, she did not asked why but she already understood.
Elizabeth envelops Mary in her arms and she felt safe, warm, and began
to feel that maybe she can do this. Elizabeth reminds her of her mission
and gave her the courage to do what she is called to do. In her embrace,
she felt the arms of God holding her close. With that Mary felt secured,
Mary felt so happy and so in outburst she sang this beautiful song of
“Magnificat” in praise to God.

Body

The Magnificat is a song of surrender and trust in the Lord. It is
also a song of humility for how God looks with favor on his lowly servant.
Her lowliness is not an obstacle but rather a strength so that God’s power
may reign and not hers. Mary made herself available for whatever God’s
purpose is. This song says it all. “Thank you for the opportunity to serve.
I entrust my whole life to you!”

Like Mary, God needs our “yes” so that His will may reign in
our hearts and in this world. Often times we look at our lowliness in a
different light. We see it as a hindrance, an inadequacy, and/or incapacity.
But at times it becomes false humility when we would shun ourselves from
something we can do and beg-off because of our being shy or timid. At
times we say, “No I’m not fit for the job, somebody else will do it better,
I’m unworthy, I can’t do that.” Today’s Gospel challenges us to look at
the ways God is inviting us to be instruments in his plan, in the midst of
our own less-than-perfect situations. When God calls you, He is calling
you in your entireness. You think God doesn’t know your limitations?
God is God, therefore He is All-Knowing. He knows you through and
through. Thus, inspite and despite of all, He still calls you because He
believes in you… He needs you.

Conclusion

Advent is a wonderful time to make ourselves available for
whatever it is God calls us to be. This advent is a time for us to discover
that in our lowliness we can give glory to God. Perhaps this is a time to
realize that I can be an instrument of God and be grateful for that. Like
Mary, may we be able to give praise to God and sing our own Magnificat.
“My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord!”

Question

How do i say my yes to God?

REV. FR. JOSELITO BUENAFE
Spiritual Director
San Carlos Seminary