Week 2: Liberated by God’s Grace
Week 2, Day 3
“A Collect from Morning Prayer,” The Book of Common Prayer
O God, who art the author of peace and lover of concord, in knowledge of whom standeth our eternal life, whose service is perfect freedom: Defend us, thy humble servants, in all assaults of our enemies; that we, surely trusting in thy defense, may not fear the power of any adversaries; through the might of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Freedom and Liberty (Luke 1:46–55)
Zephania Kameeta, Lutheran, Namibia
And Mary said, “My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has looked with favor on the lowliness of his servant. Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed; for the Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is his name. His mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation. He has shown strength with his arm; he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts. He has brought down the powerful from their thrones, and lifted up the lowly; he has filled the hungry with good things, and sent the rich away empty. He has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy, according to the promise he made to our ancestors, to Abraham and to his descendants forever.” (Lk 1:46–55).
Mary’s song of praise based on Luke 1:46–55
Today I look into my own heart
and all around me, and I sing the song of Mary.
My life praises the Lord my God
who is setting me free.
He has remembered me, in my humiliation and distress!
From now on those who rejected and ignored me
will see me and call me happy,
because of the great things he is doing
in my humble life.
His name is completely different from the other names in this world;
from one generation to another,
he was on the side of the oppressed.
As on the day of the Exodus, he is stretching out
his mighty arm to scatter the oppressors
with all their evil plans.
He has brought down mighty kings
from their thrones
and he has lifted up the despised;
and so will he do today.
He has filled the exploited with good things,
and sent the exploiters away with empty hands;
and so will he do today.
His promise to our mothers and fathers remains new and fresh to this day.
Therefore the hope for liberation
which is burning in me
will not be extinguished.
He will remember me, here now and beyond the grave (Mary’s song of praise based on Lk 1:46-55).
