Most of what we consider “life” is sandwiched between two periods of inactive helplessness – birth/infancy and death. Weakness and dependence straddle human life. Helplessness, then, cannot be inferior to independence.
This punctuation at both ends of my doing seems designed to teach, and even warn me, that neither the beginning nor the completion of my life depends on me. Therefore the value of my lifespan is not solely dependent on the strength, activity, work, or ability to contribute to society that I place so much value on.
Mary’s Magnificat teaches me that the might of God’s arm depends on what we express in receiving, not what we express in achieving.
Study Audio
This week’s LOVE the Word exercise (interactive scripture meditation, or lectio divina) is based on a Thomistic* personality approach. Go on! Try it!
Listen (Lectio)
“Three times I besought the Lord about this, that it should leave me; but he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ I will all the more gladly boast of my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may rest upon me” (2 Cor 12:8-9).
Observe (Meditatio)
Consider weakness. Reflect upon it. To whom does this verse apply? What does this verse mean? Where is the connection between our weakness and God’s strength? When is God’s power clearly seen? Why does Paul “boast of his weakness”?
What circumstance in your life right now is God calling you to remain weak, in order that the strength of His arm may be revealed? Do you want to see Him move mightily on your behalf? How do you need to change your approach in order to be obedient to this call? What might happen if you “pass over” with Jesus by purposely allowing yourself to remain weak? How is this approach like “the little way” of St. Therese of Lisieux?
Verbalize (Oratio)
Talk to God about your fears, concerns, and desires in the circumstance you named, above. Ask Him, with Jesus and Mary, St. Therese and all the saints, to help you rest deliberately in your weakness. Ask to see Him work and move on your behalf.
Entrust (Contemplatio)
End your meditation by fully entrusting the circumstance to Him. You may have to repeat this prayer many times as you wait on the Lord: “Jesus, I trust in you.”
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*Interactive scripture meditations, LOVE Exercises, vary weekly according to the four personalities, or “prayer forms,” explored in Prayer and Temperament, by Chester Michael and Marie Norrisey: Ignatian, Augustinian, Franciscan, and Thomistic.
Scripture References for the Show
Luke 1:46-55, the words of the Magnificat
And Mary said:
“My soul magnifies the Lord,
47 and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
48 for he has regarded the low estate of his handmaiden.
For behold, henceforth all generations will call me blessed;
49 for he who is mighty has done great things for me,
and holy is his name.
50 And his mercy is on those who fear him
from generation to generation.
51 He has shown strength with his arm,
he has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts,
52 he has put down the mighty from their thrones,
and exalted those of low degree;
53 he has filled the hungry with good things,
and the rich he has sent empty away.
54 He has helped his servant Israel,
in remembrance of his mercy,
55 as he spoke to our fathers,
to Abraham and to his posterity for ever.”
Isaiah 53:1, 53:2 ff, Who hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the Lord revealed?
Habakkuk 3:4, His brightness was like the light, rays flashed from his hand; and there he veiled his power.
Psalm 77:10-20, Your way was in the sea And Your paths in the mighty waters, And Your footprints may not be known.
2 Corinthians 12:9, But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.
Joel 3:10 Let the weak say, I am strong.
Psalm 37:1-6, Fret not yourself because of the wicked, be not envious of wrongdoers! For they will soon fade like the grass, and wither like the green herb. Trust in the LORD, and do good; so you will dwell in the land, and enjoy security. Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him, and he will act. He will bring forth your vindication as the light, and your right as the noonday.
Matthew 7:9-11, Or what man of you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a serpent? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!
Episode Resources
“The word ‘passion’ does not mean…‘pain.’ It means dependence, exposure, waiting, being no longer in control of one’s own situation, being the object of what is done… Jesus entered into the totality or extremity of passion – the situation in which there is no limit to what may be done to one, to what one may receive or suffer; and at the great climax of the story, at the moment when He is handed over in the Garden, we see Him waiting, in the agony of expectancy, for whatever it is that He is to receive” (W. H. Vanstone, The Stature of Waiting).
Daily Scripture Reading (Lectio Divina) Resources
Print:
- Magnificat – http://us.magnificat.net/flipbook/US/holy_week/
- Give Us This Day – https://www.giveusthisday.org/Home/LookInside
- Word Among Us – https://myaccount.wau.org/signup
- Living Faith – http://www.livingfaith.com/index.php
Websites:
- Universalis – http://universalis.com/
- United States Conference of Catholic Bishops – http://usccb.org/bible/readings/010717.cfm
- Blessed Is She – https://blessedisshe.net/
Apps: https://catholicapptitude.org/2017/01/03/essential-catholic-apps-for-your-phone-or-tablet-or-watch/
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