Gospel Meditation: Magnificat

I offer a guided Ignatian meditation on today's Gospel. This is an invitation to let the scripture enter into your heart and mind and speak personally to you. Ignatius said that meditation specifically engages our memory, thoughts, and will. We hear the word of God, and we ponder it, noticing any words, images, or ideas that speak to our hearts. And we speak to God about all of this.

If this way of praying is new – simply relax and try to become engaged in the text. Try not to worry about what you are “supposed to” be doing. If you find yourself distracted during your prayer, very gently bring yourself back to the scripture text.

If at any point during the guided meditation the scripture comes to life in such a way that God invites to you stay with a particular moment, follow the invitation that you sense, rather than move on to where the written meditation is going. In that case you might want to stop reading and continue on your own.

• Choose a position where you can be relaxed but alert.
• Breathe deeply several times and let your body relax
• Breathe out any worries or stressful thoughts and put them in God’s hands
• Become aware of God’s presence here with you now, looking at you with love.

• Ask God for the grace of gratitude and praise for the great things God has done for you.

Read the passage slowly twice, savoring the words. The first time, just listen to get a sense of it, to hear what is being said. The second time, notice any word or phrase, image, or idea that speaks to your heart or “shimmers” for you. Stay with that word, image, or idea and ponder its meaning. Notice how it makes you feel. Savor the experience. 

Note: Today’s scripture is the Psalm for today’s Mass, which is the Canticle of Mary, also known as the Magnificat.

Mary says, “all generations will call me blessed.” What does it mean to you to be blessed?

In what ways has God looked on you with favor?

Mary’s exultation comes in the wake of her own “yes” to God. When have you said yes to God? What feelings come to you as you remember those times?

What in your life right now moves you to rejoice in God?

Mary praises God who has exalted the humble and humbled the exalted, who has shown mercy, and filled the hungry with good things. In what ways are you thirsting for this kind of justice and peace in the world? Share that with God.

Close your prayer with a conversation. You might want to talk with Mary about what you’ve meditated on, sharing your thoughts and feelings with her and listening to what she has to say in response. Or, you might consider talking with God about it all.

When you are ready, close with a favorite prayer.