(As Christmas approaches, I’ll try some reflections based on Mary)
My soul rejoices in God, my saviour.
My heart bursts with gratitude and praise.
The goodness of the Lord bubbles up inside me
And I burst into astonished laughter
That he should do this for me.
Who am I that he should even consider me?
Yet he bestows on me such honour.
When I thought of myself as nothing
He held me up for all to see as his beloved.
From this day forward, my life will be blessed
And I put behind me everything that is not true to him.
All I want is to serve his great purpose to deliver those in need.
He has done great things for me and I put myself at his disposal.
He treats me like a shining star, like his own precious child,
Surely, his mercy is everlasting, and he will pour out his goodness on all people.
All who turn to him will be lifted up, finding in him their strength and hope.
I am not daunted by the rich and powerful.
The Lord is with me and I am determined to bring justice to the poor.
He has stretched out his arm to shield me, and to enfold his children.
His righteousness has filled me with energy,
And I feel his anger at those who have ignored his command to show mercy.
They are already worthless and they will be shown up for what they are,
Cast out with the rubbish till they have learnt what it is to have nothing.
But those who call out from their poverty, those in great need,
These he lifts up gently in his arms, and tends to their wounds.
And suddenly I want to shout out that the world is not right.
I demand change, and I commit myself to be part of the change.
I am not daunted by the task, because I can see what God is already doing.
It is happening, and what is still to do is sure
Because the Lord has promised.
He will not forget us, nor ever forsake us, nor ever fail us.
I am just one of his people, and he has called us all.
Anger is forged into righteousness,
Faith sees the end and rejoices.
He showers his mercy upon us.
The arrogant and uncaring will be left with nothing,
But those who look to him will receive all they desire.
Nothing is impossible for him
And I feel his power surging through me.
He is the Lord, and I am his servant.
Spiritual Devotion 