Evening Prayer

I just finished Evening Prayer. I would like to comment on the Magnificat, because it stuck out to me the most during the Liturgy of the Hours today. Specifically I would like to discuss how Mary's prayer is a wonderful model prayer for us as Christians today.

My soul magnifies the Lord,
And my spirit rejoices in God my Savior.

This is the ultimate of what we can do as Christians. Our praise and worship are really why we were created and why we have such wonderful blessings that will follow in the prayer. We should remember to keep this in our minds always and always be thankful for everything that happens to us, even when we don't think it is for the best. Christ's sacrifice and becoming our savior is so wonderful that we should constantly be thinking about the Invitatory to the hours: "Lord, Open my Lips and My Mouth Will Proclaim Your Praise".

For He has regarded the low estate of His handmaiden,

Indeed, how low are we without Christ?

For behold, henceforth all generations shall call me blessed.

Like the Mother of God, won't we always be called blessed by future generations of people for being chosen as his sanctified and priestly people?

For He who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is His name. And His mercy is on those who fear Him from generation to generation.

The sacrifice he has done for us clearly shows his mercy towards us, and is the source of why we will always be his blessed people.

He has shown strength with His arm:
He has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.

He has put down the mighty from their thrones,
and exalted those of low degree.

Think about what he did to the Roman Empire as prophesied in Daniel! And, he takes someone like humble fisherman and turns them into his Apostles. Note how they were spoken of by the educated Jews of the time. It's fascinating that a simple fisherman could be given the position to lead the early Church like Peter was. Likewise, he will lift us up if we humble ourselves before him. Pride goes before a fall, and as a Church we should remember to always seek out his mercy and grace, especially through the sacraments.

He has filled the hungry with good things;
and the rich He has sent empty away.
He has helped His servant Israel, in remembrance of His mercy;
As He spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to His posterity forever.

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.
As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen