Words of Light and Hope from Tony Hawes

The Blessed Virgin Mary – August 15th
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My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord;
my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour.
For he has looked with favour on his lowly servant,
from this day all generations will call me blessed.
The Almighty has done great things for me,
and holy is his name.
There were safer places, more comfortable places, palaces and wealthy
places. Yet you chose a daughter of the soil who would otherwise lived
a good and honest life, grown and harvested crops, cooked and washed
and cared for others and been forgotten, to be your temporary home,
to be exalted for all time.
My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord;
my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour.
When does an ordinary life become extraordinary?
A mundane day become revolutionary?
A moment in time, change history?
When God enters in, forgives sin, allows us to begin again,
when we repeat those words of Mary:
Let it be to me according to your word.

From Faith and Worship – John Birch.

Almighty God, who looked upon the lowliness of the Blessed Virgin
Mary and chose her to be the mother of your only Son:
grant that we who are redeemed by his blood may share with her
in the glory of your eternal kingdom.
Amen.