TUESDAY, DECEMBER 22
1 Samuel 1:24-28; 1 Samuel 2:1, 4-8; Luke 1:46-56
In Luke's Gospel, Mary announces what God has accomplished in her pregnancy: God scattered the proud, brought down the mighty from their thrones, exalted the lowly, filled the hungry with good things, and sent the rich away empty (Lk 1:51-53). She speaks in the past tense. Why? These words hardly describe the real world.
Mary's words reveal deep faith. She trusts that God is mending the world, liberating humanity from the powers that enslave. Mary still lives in what we call "the real world," but she invites us to believe that this other world – mended, healed, made new – is real, too.
In clinics, hospitals and other places of healing, we encounter heartache and struggle daily. Obstacles to healing and wholeness take many forms – both for patients and healthcare workers.
Where are we to begin? Mary can help us take heart. We can be peacemakers in our work, our homes and our world. We can trust that God's mending of the world is already underway. We can share this work, trusting that we don't do it alone.
Rev. Sara Olson Dean, BCC
Director of Spiritual Care
Essentia Health
Pause
What gives you hope that love is already at work in the world?
Pray
God of the Universe, Creator of Light and Dark: You have formed us together as one body to proclaim Your peace. Draw us beyond our own narrowness to recognize Christ within ourselves and one another. Help us to choose unity – humility over pride and patience over anger. Make in us Your dwelling place, O God, that we may be worthy builders of Your Kingdom and true instruments of Your grace. Amen.