THE MAGNIFICAT: PART ONE

THE SONG OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN
AS GIVEN IN THE SACRED SCRIPTURES

INTRODUCTION

THE VIRGIN'S DEEPEST THOUGHTS

All Scripture passages quoted in this chapter have received the Nihil obstat and Imprimatur. When not otherwise stated, quotations are nom the Rheims-Douai. References within brackets refer to verse locations in other translations.)

"And Mary said: My soul doth magnify the Lord." St. Luke 1:46.

The song of the Blessed Virgin Mary is considered one of the most sublime hymns in all sacred literature. It is a lyric of exquisite beauty worthy of the Virgin. It is not only pervaded by a. spirit of humble adoration and thankfulness, but it glorifies the power, holiness, and mercy of God. This wonderful song has, for centuries, been called the Magnificat. This is because "Magnificat" (magnifies) is the first word of this canticle, in the Latin Vulgate, which was translated in the early fifth century and became the official Latin text of the Bible. From that time down to the present, the song of the Virgin Mary has been called the Magnificat

The well-recognized and very scholarly one-volume Catholic Encyclopedia explains the background of this glorious song:

"Magnificat-This title has been given to the canticle spoken by the Blessed Mother on the occasion of her visit to her cousin, Elizabeth, as recorded in St. Luke 1:46-55. The Magnificat is an expression of genuine humility, which is drawn largely from Old Testament thought, especially the Psalms (Psalms 22:8; 30:8; 33:4; 70:18). It acknowledges the goodness of God, that God is her Savior, and that God is to be served. The title comes from the first word of the Latin version."-The Catholic Encyclopedia, 1986 edition, p. 367.

The gift of inspiration seems to fall upon the Virgin as she speaks forth in calm and majestic strains. It expresses her personal emotion and experience as she meditates upon the message of the angel Gabriel.

The ideas and words reflect what inspired Bible writers have said, both before and after she uttered that sublime song,

As one would gaze into a pool of clearest water, with its myriad hues of blue and green, mingled with shimmering light, so, in this book, we shall penetrate the depths of this wondrous song. It is a study from which you, the reader, will draw renewed courage.

How thankful we can be for this wonderful song, from which we derive so much strength. This is because, as we study it, the song of the Virgin is a song of the Holy Scriptures. It carries us from one sweet theme of the Bible to another.

Let us, together, consider this sweetest of hymns. This is the story of the inmost thoughts of the Blessed Virgin: This is the Magnificat.

CHAPTER ONE

THE HANDMAID OF THE LORD

"When the fulness of the time was come, God sent His Son, made of a woman."-Galatians 4:4.

Mary was important in the sending of our Savior to us. The God of heaven looked down and saw that she would prove faithful to the calling which He was about to bring to her.

"In the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent from God into a city of Galilee, called Nazareth, to a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary." St. Luke 1:26-27.

She was just a young girl, in her late teens or early twenties. As she was growing into adulthood, few in her village of Nazareth would have thought that anything out of the ordinary might ever happen to the maiden.

Yet the young girl had a profound dedication to the will of God. This was Unusual in her time. She loved and obeyed God's Word -the Holy Scriptures,-and she sought in every little way to be helpful to those around her.

Do you and I realize that, as we study God's Word today and seek to be obedient to what we find therein, that someday we too might be used by God to bring a greater blessing to others?

That is what Mary did, and that is why she became so Blessed. She was, indeed, blessed of God, because she sought to comfort and help all who came in contact with her.

One day as young Mary was working about the house, an angel came to see her. It was an important angel from the heavenly courts, and he came with an important message.

"And the angel being come in, said unto her: Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women."-St. Luke 1:28.

Mary had received of the grace of God; and; as we read her song, we can better understand why she was so blessed.

It was by the enabling grace of God that the young girl was able to live such a clean life. Mary loved God and was a daily recipient of His grace,

"Behold thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and shalt bring forth a Son; and thou shalt call His name Jesus , "--St. Luke 1:31.

The Virgin was astounded. Yet there was more to the message:

"He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the most High; and the Lord God shall give unto Him the throne of David His father; and He shall reign in the house of Jacob forever,"-St. Luke 1:32.

To Mary was to be born the Saviour of the world! An astonishing message! Why was Mary selected? The reason is given in verse 38: She was one who was fully surrendered to the will of God and totally willing to obey His Word.

"And Mary said: Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it done to me according to Thy word."-St. Luke 1:38.

Gabriel had brought her the Word of God, and she bowed willingly in submission to it. God can only use those who are willing to obey His Word, as given in the Sacred Scriptures.

For Mary, God's Word was found in those Scriptures; and, because she readily obeyed them, she was called to a special work for God.

So it may be with us today. For years, Mary had been in the habit of obeying God's Written Word; that was why she was selected for a special task.

As the angel Gabriel was concluding his astounding announcement, he mentioned that Mary's cousin, Elizabeth the wife of Zachary (also called Zacharias) was also to have a child;

"And behold thy cousin Elizabeth, she also hath conceived a son in her old age; and this is the sixth month with her that is called barren."-St. Luke 1:36.

The following verses of Sacred Scripture tell us that Mary then journeyed south to the home of her cousin. "And she entered into the house of Zachary, and saluted Elizabeth."-St. Luke 1:40.

Oh, how happy the two women were to see one another! But further evidence was immediately given that Mary had the Christ Child within her. "And it came to pass, that when Elizabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the infant leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost."-St. Luke 1:41.

As Mary contemplated these things, and especially the words of Gabriel, the spirit of Inspiration came upon her, and she lifted up her voice in holy words of praise.

That glorious song has come down through the ages, and cheered thousands who have sought a closer walk with God. It will encourage us today, as we study more fully into the message the Virgin Mary had for us.

How thankful we can be for the Holy Scriptures, for they provide us with perfectly true and accurate statements-which we can always rely upon.

CHAPTER TWO MAGNIFYING THE LORD ST. LUKE 1:46

The Song of Mary reveals many things: Why she was chosen, who Christ is, what His work is, and how we can receive what He has for us! There are many noble truths revealed in that glorious canticle. In her song, we find that Mary explains major teachings of the Bible.

"And Mary said: My soul doth magnify the Lord." St. Luke 1:46.

Mary was selected because her whole life magnified the Lord! She loved God with all her heart, and fully yielded to His will. Think not that God casually chose her out of the crowd at random. Before He sent His angel to her with a special work, she was already dedicated to Him.

Oh, that each one of us will be as dedicated as Mary.

In this song, the soul of Mary is magnifying the Lord. We have here the very words of Mary! Profound are the truths to be found within them.

"My soul doth magnify the Lord."-St. Luke 1:46.

It is Mary that is magnifying the Lord. Mary's "soul" is part of her. A "soul" is not something separate from the body which floats in space. It is part of us. It is our feelings, our inner being; it is each one of us.

The word, "soul," comes from a Greek word, psuche (as in psychology), and denotes the inner feeling, part of the entire being.

Especially in these last days, we must beware of those who would teach strange theories which are not found in the Word of God. Her soul was not something apart from Mary that was praising God; it was her heart and very being. It was her.

"Now the Spirit manifestly saith, that in the last times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to spirits of error, and doctrines of devils, speaking lies in hypocrisy, and having their conscience seared."-1 Timothy 4:1-2.

While Mary was magnifying the Lord, most people in her time were magnifying themselves. This is the condition of many in our society today. We must beware of the ungodly.

"Traitors, stubborn, puffed up, and lovers of pleasures more than of God. Having an appearance indeed of godliness, but denying the power thereof. Now these avoid."-2 Timothy 3:4-5.

Instead of magnifying the Lord, all too many are busy seeking to be puffed up. Oh, how many lives are lost by exalting self!

But blessed Mary chose the right way: She magnified the Lord! And that is why she was so blessed. Later, in her song, Mary made this comment:

"He hath put down the mighty from their seat, and hath exalted the humble."-St. Luke 1:52.

Through all history, God has pulled down the mighty and exalted the humble. Back in the beginning, Lucifer was a leading angel in heaven, but he became conceited and opposed God. He wanted to exalt himself, so he was cast out of heaven.

"How art thou fallen from heaven, 0 Lucifer, who didst rise in the morning? How art thou fallen to the earth, that didst wound the nations?

"And thou saidst in thy heart: I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God, I will sit in the mountain of the covenant, in the sides of the north.

"I will ascend above the height of the clouds, I will be like the most High."-Isaias 14:12-14.

Just as Mary said, it is the arrogant who trust in themselves and oppose the godly who are cast down -for the Scriptures declare of Lucifer who sinned in heaven, "But yet thou shalt be brought down" (Isaias 14: 15).

Lucifer got many angels on his side, and he defied God. Ultimately there was a great war.

"And there was a great battle in heaven, Michael and his angels fought with the dragon, and the dragon fought and his angels: And they prevailed not, neither was their place found any more in heaven.

"And that great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, who is called the devil and Satan, who seduceth the whole world; and he was cast unto the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him."-The Apocalypse 12:7-9.

The Scriptures tell us that the angels that sinned were cast down, "to be reserved unto judgment".(2 St. Peter 2:4). If the angels sinned, what is sin?

"Whosoever committeth sin committeth also iniquity; and sin is iniquity."- 1 St. John 3:4.

Sin is the transgression of the law. "Iniquity" comes from the Latin, iniquitum, which means a violation of equity; that is, a violation of justice and right rules. Another translation which has received the imprimatur of the Church, says it this way: "Every one who commits sin is guilty of lawlessness; sin is lawlessness;"-l John 3:4, RSV.

St. Paul said that where there is no law, there is no sin. This is because it is by the law that we identify sin for what it is.

"I do not know sin; but by the law; for I had not known concupiscence, if the law did not say, Thou shalt not covet."-Romans 7:7.

Indeed, where there is no law, there is no transgression.

"For the law worketh wrath. For where there is no law, neither is there transgression."-Romans 4:15.

Therefore, if the angels in heaven sinned, -there had to be an eternal law in heaven that they sinned against. So there is an everlasting law which cannot be abolished nor destroyed.

"All His commandments are faithful: confirmed for ever and ever, made in truth and equity."-Psalm 110:8.

The evil angels were expelled from heaven because they disobeyed God's holy law. We today cannot transgress even part of that law, or we shall suffer for having done so.

"And whosoever shall keep the whole law, but offend in one point, is become guilty of all.

"For He that said, Thou shalt not commit adultery, said also, Thou shalt not kill. Now if thou do not commit adultery, but shalt kill, thou art become a transgressor of the law."-St. James 2:11.

So, when we break one of the Ten Commandments, we have broken all of them. The Decalogue is a written statement of what God is like. Those who are godly live in obedience to this law. Trusting in Jesus, they are given grace to render that obedience..

How terrible would life be, if we did not have our Saviour! Only Jesus can empower us to obey the Word of God. .

Jesus, Himself, emphasized the importance of the clean, pure way of life which He offers us--which we can have as, by faith in His enabling grace, we obey His Ten Commandment law.

"Do not think that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets. I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill. For amen I say unto you, till heaven and earth pass, one jot, or one tittle shall not pass of the law, till all be fulfilled.

"He therefore that shall break one of these least commandments, and shall so teach men, shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven. But he that shall do and teach, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven."-St. Matthew 5:17-19.

How thankful we can be that God's holy law is unchangeable and eternal! It will never change -never. Because God and His law are unchangeable, all His creatures who are saved will live in holy obedience to His principles throughout all eternity.

What are the Ten Commandments? They are found in Exodus 20:3-17. Here they are:

The First Commandment-"Thou shalt not have strange gods before Me."-Exodus 20:3.

The Second Commandment-"Thou shalt not make to thyself a graven thing, nor the likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or in the earth beneath, nor of those things that are in the waters under the earth.

"Thou shalt not adore them, nor serve them: I am the Lord thy God, mighty, jealous, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate Me: And shewing mercy unto thousands to them that love Me, and keep My commandments."-Exodus 20:4.

The Third Commandment-"Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain: for the Lord will not hold him guiltless that shall take the name of -the Lord his God in vain."-Exodus 20:7.

The Fourth Commandment-"Remember that thou keep holy the Sabbath day. Six days shalt thou labour, and shalt do all thy works.

"But on the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God. Thou shalt do no work on it, thou nor thy son, nor thy daughter, nor thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy beast, nor the stranger that is within thy gates.

"For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, and the sea, and all things that are in them, and rested on the seventh day. Therefore the Lord blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it."-Exodus 20:8-11.

The Fifth Commandment--"Honour thy father and thy mother, that thou mayest be long lived upon the land which the Lord thy God will give thee."-Exodus 20: 12.

The Sixth Commandment-"Thou shalt not kill."­ Exodus 20:13.

The Seventh Commandment-"Thou shalt not commit adultery."-Exodus 20: 14..

The Eighth Commandment-"Thou shalt not steal." -Exodus 20: 15.

 The Ninth Commandment-"Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor."-Exodus 20:16.

The Tenth Commandment-"Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's house: neither shalt thou desire his wife, nor his servant, nor his handmaid, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is his."-Exodus 20:17.

The Apocalypse 12 not only tells us how Satan was cast out of heaven, but also tells of his efforts to slay Christ. That chapter reveals that Satan tried to destroy God's faithful people in the centuries that followed.

According to verse 9, the "dragon" in this chapter is Satan and the organization he works through to accomplish his purpose. The pure "woman" is a symbol of the true church (2 Cor 11:2). The "child" of the woman is Christ. Here is the passage:

"And a great sign appeared in heaven: A woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars. And being with child, she cried travailing in birth, and was in pain to be delivered.

"And there was seen another sign in heaven: and behold a great red dragon, having seven heads, and ten horns: and on his heads seven diadems.

"And his tail drew the third part of the stars of heaven, and cast them to the earth. And the dragon stood before the woman who was ready to be delivered; that, when she should be delivered, he might devour her Son.

"And she brought forth a man Child, who was to rule all nations with an iron rod: and her Son was taken up to God, and to His throne.

"And the woman fled into the wilderness, where she had a place prepared by God."-The Apocalypse 12:1-6,

All through the ages-and even down at the end of time --Satan has continued his efforts to slay God's faithful people!

"And the dragon was angry against the woman: and went to make war with the rest of her seed, who keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ."-The Apocalypse 12:17.

This Bible passage identifies the faithful sons and daughters of God in the last days. The unique characteristic of God's people at the end of time is that they keep the commandments of God. That is something you and I want to do, is it not? By faith in the empowering grace of Jesus Christ, we can do it!

Did you know that, down at the end of time--and just two verses before the second corning of Christ-we are given another description of what God's faithful ones will be like?

"Here is the patience of the saints, who keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus."-The Apocalypse 14:12.

Surely, we want to be among those people who, through the faith of Jesus, obey the commandments of God. Trust Him, Oh, my friend, trust Him! He can guide you all along life's journey!

Through the enabling strength of Christ's grace, you can withstand the temptations of the devil, and live a clean, pure life.

CHAPTER THREE- REJOICING IN HER SAVIOR- ST. LUKE 1:47

"And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour."--St. Luke 1:47.

Mary's Saviour was God. It is clear that she looked to no other. The sweet Virgin knew that she could not save herself. All she had was God; and in giving her all to Him she had become a person whom He could use for a special work.

Think not that God cannot use you also! The God of heaven loves you with the deepest love; and He will work through you to help and bless others, to whatever degree you let Him.

Mary tells us that she needed a Saviour! There is a deep truth here. The Bible teaches that all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.

"For all have sinned, and do need the glory of God: Romans 3:23.

A wonderful chapter, Isaias 53, echoes the same words. "All we like sheep have gone astray, every one hath turned aside into his own way: and the Lord hath laid on Him the iniquity of us all."'--Isaias 53:6.

This has been the story of all Adam's children. We have all gone our own way. Because of this, each one of us needs a Saviour. Only those who have never sinned, never need a Saviour.

So when Mary, by the Inspiration of God, says, "God is my Saviour," it means a lot. She recognizes that she also has sinned and is dependent on the saving grace of Christ. How thankful we can be that we have a Saviour to whom we can go! What if we had no Saviour? How terrible would be our lot!

Mary knew who her Saviour was. For the angel had explained it. Jesus Christ is the only Saviour. . "And she shall bring forth a Son: and thou shalt call His name Jesus. For He shall save His people from their sins."-St. Matthew 1:21.

How does Christ save us? He does it by His grace. And what is grace? It is both forgiveness for sins and enabling strength to obey God's holy law. "For by grace you are saved through faith, and that not of yourselves, for it is the gift of God."-Ephesians 2:8.

Grace is more than love and forgiveness, it is also help and power to obey.

"And He said to me: My grace is sufficient for thee: for power is made perfect in infirmity."- 2 Corinthians 12:9.

"Be strong in the grace which is in Christ Jesus." 2 Timothy 2:1.

Grace is power to live a virtuous life.

Many today say that grace is a blank check to follow their own gratification. But this is not true. Grace is help through the merits of Christ to help us stop sinning –not to help us keep doing it.

"What shall we say, then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may about? God forbid. For we that are dead to sin, how shall we live any longer therein?" Romans 6:1-2.

If we want to follow Mary's example, we must trust in the grace of God to help us obey His Ten Commandment law. 

Thank God every day for His grace!

"Not because we first loved Him did Christ love us; but 'while we were yet sinners' He died for us. He does not treat us according to our desert. Although our sins have merited condemnation, He does not condemn us. Year after year He has borne with our weakness and ignorance, with our ingratitude and waywardness. Notwithstanding our wanderings, our hardness of heart, our neglect of His Holy Word, His hand is stretched out still.

"Grace is an attribute of God exercised toward undeserving human beings. We did not seek for it, but it was sent in search of us. God rejoices to bestow His grace upon us, not because we are worthy, but because we are so utterly unworthy. Our only claim to His mercy is our great need."-Ministry of Healing, 161.

Jesus is our Saviour. But what does He save us from?

He saves us from sin. "And she shall bring forth a Son: and thou shalt call His name Jesus. For He shall save His people from their sins."-St. Matthew 1:21.

St. Paul said that we cannot know what sin is, except by the law..

"I do not know sin, but by the law; for I had not known concupiscence, if the law did not say, Thou shalt not covet."-Romans 7:7.

Mary is saying, "Jesus is my Saviour." Blessed Mary! She is blessed who hath done so much for us, by bearing the Messiah! And we can be blessed too. All of us have sinned and come short; but, in the strength of Christ our Saviour, we can be empowered to live clean, godly lives.

And it is done by His grace. His grace is His empowering strength, which He freely offers us. God is love,-and in love He offers us so much help! Just so much! All that we need.

So we see that it is grace which enables us to obey His will, which is His law. This is because the Ten Commandments are a reflection of all that God is and stands for. When we read the Ten Commandments, we read what God is like, His character.

Yet is there not anyone else to whom we can turn for. salvation? No, there is not one. The Sacred Scriptures tell us that there is no one else who can save us from our sins.

"Neither is there salvation in any other. For there is no other name under heaven, given to men, whereby we must be saved."--Acts 4:12.

"No other name." And what is that name?

"Be it known to you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God hath raised from the dead, --even by Him this man standeth here before you whole."-Acts 4:10, 

"Now to Him who is able to preserve you without sin, and to present you spotless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy." - Jude 24

"All thy children shall be taught of the Lord: and great shall be the peace of thy children. " - Isaias 54: 13

"You shall walk in the way that the Lord your God hath commanded, that you may live, and it may be well with you, and your days may be long in the land bfyour possession." - Deuteronomy 5:33

"For according to the height of the heaven above the earth: He hath strengthened His mercy towards them that fear [reverence} Him." -Psalm 102:11 [Psalms 103:11]

The Scriptures do not support the idea that any human being can be a co-redemptor. Salvation is only in Jesus Christ. That is what the Bible teaches.

"For there is one God, and one Mediator of God and men, the man Christ Jesus."- 1 Timothy 2:5.

Only God can redeem us. And those whom He redeems are those who have sinned, but who, in humility of soul, have confessed that He is their Saviour. Mary did this.

"And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour." St. Luke 1:47.

The Redemptor is Jesus. He is Mary's Redemptor; He is ours. Christ is the only Redemptor anyone can have!

"Neither is there salvation in any other. For there is no other name under heaven, given to men, whereby we must be saved."-Acts,4:12.

Everyone needs a Saviour; and, by her own statement, Mary herself needed a Saviour! "And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour." St. Luke 1 :47.

Look to Jesus! Jesus Christ is the only pathway to heaven for any human being. "Jesus saith to him: I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No man cometh to the Father, but by Me." St. John 14:6.

That verse does not say "by us," but "by Me." Only through Christ can we have forgiving and enabling grace. Only through Him can we be saved.

CHAPTER FOUR BLESSED ART THOU ST. LUKE 1:48-49

Continuing on with the wonderful song of Mary, we next read this passage: "Because He hath regarded the humility of His handmaid; for behold from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed." St. Luke 1:48.

Mary was a sweet child of God who loved Him deeply. She recognized that she was a humble servant. It is only the humble, those who take a lowly place before God, that He can use in His work.

Her attitude was clearly shown in her words when she first received the message of the Incarnation: "And Mary said: Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it done to me according to Thy word."-St. Luke 1:38.

It is difficult for us today to realize the great sacrifice that Mary made in her decision to submit to the Word of God.

She was poor, a single parent. Today people would say she should abort her baby! In obeying the Word of God, Mary knew that, for the rest of her life, she would face the stigma of an unusual birth. Those were times when women were stoned for having children out of wedlock.

But Mary was willing to pay a price, the highest price, if it would please God. Although to all about her, this would be viewed as a betrayal to her betrothed, yet Mary remained firm to her commitment.

She would obey the Word of God. And she was blessed for it. Greatly blessed.

You will recall her submissive words when the task was presented to her: "Be it done to me according to Thy word."-St. Luke 1 :38.

This was what made Mary great! This is why the God of heaven could use her to bear the promised Messiah! She had total submission to the revealed will of God. She would obey, regardless of the cost.

Our Saviour speaks to us today through the pages of Holy Writ. To you and me today, the will of God is found in the Scriptures. To the degree that we are as submissive as Mary to the Word of God, we shall, like her, receive a blessing. .

In her song, Mary also spoke these words: "From henceforth all generations shall call me blessed."-St. Luke 1:48.

She knew she would be held in remembrance by all ages because she was the bearer of the Messiah. Only one person throughout human history would ever have that task assigned to her. It was the dream of every Jewish woman that she might be the mother of the Messiah. Mary, humble little Mary, was the one given that solemn responsibility.

Elizabeth had spoken these words to the Virgin:

"Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb."-St. Luke 1:42.

This was not the first time, in Scripture, that a special blessing had been given by God to women. Another example is to be found in the book of Judges.  

"Blessed among women be Jahel the wife of Haber the Cinite, and blessed be she in her tent." Judges 5:24.

Jahel was also a humble woman who loved God and obeyed His will. Just as that woman was especially blessed of God, we too can be blessed, each of us in our own sphere of activity.

The Virgin was blessed because she was willing to take any assignment, do any task assigned her. This was clearly expressed in her words, "Behold the handmaid of the Lord: be it done to me according to Thy word" (St. Luke 1:38).

Mary was calling herself a servant of the Lord. Mary showed a commitment to fully obey whatever she was told in God's Word.

Thirty years later, the Virgin was still submissive to God's Word! We shall see this as we continue this study.

As we live our earthly life, we should say to ourselves, "Are we going to follow the example of Mary? Are we going to do whatever we are told by the Lord in the Scriptures?"

Mary's life was a life of obedience. We can surely know that, as she worked with young Jesus, she emphasized obedience to the law of God. The child Jesus happily did so. So it should be with us today. It is those that teach obedience who are called great in the kingdom of heaven. Jesus carefully explained this in the Sermon on the Mount: "Do not think that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets. I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. For amen I say unto you, till heaven and earth pass, one jot, or one tittle shall not pass of the law, till all be fulfilled.

"He therefore that shall break one of these least commandments, and shall so teach men, shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven. But he that shall do and teach, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven." St. Matthew 5:17-19.

Today we hear many conflicting voices, telling us to obey the sayings of men. But those who are truly blessed are those who keep the commandments of God, by enabling faith in Jesus Christ.

"Here is the patience of the saints, who keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus."-The Apocalypse 14:12.

When the angel first told Mary that she was going to bear the Son of the living God, she was startled. "And Mary said to the angel: How shall this be done, because I know not man."-St. Luke 1:34.

The reply of the angel was deep with significance.

"And the angel answering, said to her, The Holy Ghost shall come- upon thee, and the power of the most High shall overshadow thee. And therefore also the Holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God." -St. Luke 1:35.

The power of the most High would be the means by which the Word of God would be fulfilled. This is the way it shall ever be.

The power of the Almighty is related to His Word. By a word, God can help His people in time of need.

"Come ye to Him and be enlightened, and your faces shall not be confounded. This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him: and saved him out of all his troubles.

"The angel of the Lord shall encamp round about them that fear Him: and shall deliver them. 0 taste, and see that the Lord is sweet: blessed is the man that hopeth in Him." -Psalm 33:8-9.

God's Word has immense power. 

"So shall My word be, which shall go forth from My mouth: it shall not return to Me void, but it shall do whatsoever I please, and shall prosper in the things for which I sent it."-Isaias 55:11.

That power, which can build the human body within the womb, can also cleanse our souls of sin and restore our entire being in newness of life.

The power of God's Word is to be found in the Holy Scriptures. As we study and obey them, our lives become clean and godly.

"All Scripture, inspired of God, is profitable to teach, to reprove, to correct, to instruct in justice; that the man of God may be perfect, furnished to every good work."-2 Timothy 3:16-17.

But there is more to Mary's song in St. Luke 1:48.

"Because He hath regarded the humility of His handmaid; for behold from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed."'-St. Luke 1:48.

The sweet Virgin is saying that all future generations would recognize that, through her, the Saviour came into the world. She surely was blessed in being selected to bear the Messiah!

There is an interesting parallel ten chapters later in St. Luke. Jesus was speaking precious words of life to the people gathered about Him. Oh, how their hearts thrilled with joy upon learning the words of life.

You and I today may also hear those words as we faithful read in the Four Gospels and elsewhere in the Holy Scriptures.

As Jesus spoke to the group about Him, a woman cried out. What was it that she said? She repeated the blessing on Mary:

"And it came to pass, as He spoke these things, a certain Woman, from the crowd, lifting up her voice, said to Him: Blessed is the womb that bore Thee, and the paps that gave Thee suck!"-St. Luke 11:27.

How many down through the centuries have echoed that adoring statement of the Virgin Mary!

Yet to this Christ gave a remarkable reply. Turning toward the woman, and then beckoning to all that vast throng, He said:

"Yea rather, blessed are they who hear the Word of God, and keep it!"-St. Luke 11:28.

What did Christ mean when He said that? The words are quite obvious, and so is the meaning. Our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, declared that, even though the Virgin was blessed for having borne Him,-yet the greater blessing of God rested on anyone and everyone who would obey the Holy Scriptures!

This is an extremely significant statement, -and it agrees with what God and all the holy prophets and apostles have said throughout the Bible.

Was Mary blessed? Yes, she surely was. Can anyone else be blessed to a like degree? According to the words of Christ, everyone can, if they will obey the Word of God. Mary obeyed God; you and I can also.

The greatest blessing rests on those who humble their hearts before God; surrender their lives to His control; and, in full reliance on the enabling grace of Christ,-put into their every day lives the teachings of Scripture! They live for God fully, and they are blessed for it.

The Virgin was blessed because she humbled her heart and dedicated her life to God, so she could be used by Him. What a glorious promise it is, that you and I can have a blessing such as Mary received! According to St. Luke 11 :27 -28, each of us can! Indeed, the deeper our dedication and obedience to God's Word, the deeper will be the blessing.

It is a blessing, which comes to all who, through the grace of Christ, live clean, godly lives and spend their time encouraging others and ministering to their needs. Yes, yes, we can be blessed as Mary was! It is a blessing we today can share in.

Notice what Jesus said:

“Blessed are they who hear the Word of God, and keep it!"-St. Luke 11:28.

It is hearing and doing that counts. Listen to God speak:

"If therefore you will hear My voice, and keep My covenant, you shall be My peculiar possession above all people: for all the earth is Mine." Exodus 19:5.

God predicted that the people could be saved when, amid their troubles, heartaches, and sins, they sought Him with all their heart, and returned and heard His voice. Then He would be found of them..

"And when thou shalt seek there the Lord thy God, thou shalt find Him: yet so, if thou seek Him with all thy heart, and all the affliction of thy soul.

"After all the things aforesaid shall find thee, in the latter time thou shalt return to the Lord thy God, and shalt hear His voice."-Deuteronomy 4:29-30.

What a wonderful promise. 0 child of God, whatever the sins you may have committed, you can come back to Him-even now-and find forgiveness and acceptance. But it can only happen as we repent of our sins, and in the strength of Christ determine to forsake them, listen, and obey God's voice as given in the sacred books of the Old and New Testaments.

There are those in the world today who refuse to do this. They choose to not hear and obey God speaking to them in the Scriptures.

"And the word of the Lord came to Zacharias, saying:

"Thus saith the Lord of hosts, saying: Judge ye true judgment, and shew ye mercy and compassion every man to his brother. And oppress not the widow and the fatherless, and the stranger, and the poor: and let not a man devise evil in his heart against his brother.

"But they would not hearken, and they turned away the shoulder to depart: and they stopped their ears, not to hear.

"And they made their heart as the adamant stone, lest they should hear the law and the words which the Lord of host sent in His Spirit by the hand of the former prophets: so a great indignation came from the Lord of hosts."-Zacharias 7:8-12.

We do not want to be like those who stubbornly rebel against the Word of the Lord and refuse to hear it! God's instruction to Josue (also called Joshua) tells us how we may please Him:

"Let not the book of this law depart from thy mouth: but thou shalt meditate on it day and night, that thou mayst observe and do all things that are written in it: then shalt thou direct thy way, and understand it." Josue 1:8.

The blessing is for those who will take time to read in the Bible every day, and obey it! We want that promised blessing,-the blessing our Saviour promised to those who would hear and do the Words of God. "And it came to pass, as He spoke these things, a certain woman from the crowd, lifting up her voice, said to Him: Blessed is the womb that bore Thee, and the paps that gave Thee suck!

"But He said: Yea rather, blessed are they who hear the Word of God, and keep it!"-St. Luke 11 :27-28.

There must be not only hearing, but doing! The Holy Scriptures declare that only the doers are justified. "For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified."-Romans 2:13.

Christ gave many deep truths in His Sermon on the Mount (recorded in 81. Matthew 5, 6, and 7). He ended that wonderful sermon with words, which summarized it all:

"Every one therefore that heareth these My words, and doeth them, shall be likened to a wise man that built his house upon a rock.

"And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and they beat upon that house, and it fell not, for it was founded upon a rock.

"And every one that heareth these My words, and doeth them not, shall be like a foolish man that built his house upon the sand.

"And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and they beat upon that house, and it fell, and great was the fall thereof."-St. Matthew 7:24-27.

It is hearing Christ's words-all through the Sacred books of Scripture-and doing them that counts. Just knowing that the Bible is on the shelf is not enough.

We must be founded on the Rock; and that Rock is Jesus Christ, our only Saviour from sin.

"Neither is there salvation in any other. For there is no other name Under heaven given to men, whereby we must be saved."-Acts 4: 12.

Before concluding this section on those whom Heaven blesses, we surely want to consider the people of God whom Christ has said are especially blessed.

When our Lord and Saviour gave the Sermon on the Mount, He began by giving the Beatitudes. These consist of eight blessings on those who, having accepting Christ as their Saviour, hear and obey the Word of God.

These blessings are for you and me today. It is for all those who see their spiritual need, humble their hearts before God, mourn over their sins and put them away, hunger and thirst for godliness, show mercy to others, have clean hearts, try to make peace with others, and willingly suffer persecution for Christ's sake:

"Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. "Blessed are the meek: for they shall possess the land. "Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted. . "Blessed are they that hunger and thirst after justice [righteousness]: for they shall have their fill.

"Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.

"Blessed are the clean of heart: for they shall see God.

 "Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.

"Blessed are they that suffer persecution for justice' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are ye when they shall revile you, and persecute you, and speak all that is evil against you, untruly, for My sake: Be glad and rejoice, for your reward is very great in heaven. For so they persecuted the prophets that were before you."-St. Matthew 5:3-12.

God is willing to bestow these blessings upon each of us.    

CHAPTER FIVE BE THOU THEREFORE HOLY ST. LUKE 1:49

Let us now continue on with Mary's song:

"Because He that is mighty, hath done great things to me; and holy is His name." St. Luke 1:49.

In order to honor a holy God, we must be holy ourselves. As we submit our lives to Him, He will make us holy.

"Holy is His name."-St. Luke 1:49.

The name indicates the character. Moses in the mount asked to better know the name of God. He wanted to better know what He was like. So the Lord graciously passed before Moses and proclaimed His holy name.

"And when the Lord was come down in a cloud, Moses stood with. Him, calling upon the name of the Lord.

"And when He passed before him, He [the Lord] said, The Lord, the Lord God, merciful and gracious, patient and of much compassion and true.

"Who keepest mercy unto thousands: who takest away iniquity, and wickedness, and sin."-Exodus 34:7.

That is what the holiness of the Lord is. It means to be good, kind, and just. The Virgin said, "And holy is His name."

"Because. He that is mighty, hath done great things to me; and holy is His name."-St. Luke 1:49. '

We need to share with others the blessings God has given us. In her song, the Virgin Mary immediately began sharing the good news of how kind the Lord had been to her. We should be like Mary, and also tell what great things God hath done for us.

When Jesus healed a man at Gadara, who then became His new disciple, Christ immediately gave him a message to carry everywhere to the people.

"Now the man, out of whom the devils were departed, besought Him [Christ] that he might be with Him. But Jesus sent him away, saying:

"Return to thy house, and tell how great things God hath done to Thee. And he went through the whole city, publishing how great things Jesus had done to him."-St. Luke 8:38-39.

As soon as Jesus made a disciple, He sent him out to be a missionary. We too should go out and tell others the blessings God has given us.

Mary said that the name of God is holy. St. Peter said we should be holy also.

"Because He that is mighty, hath done great things to me; and holy is His name."-St. Luke 1:49.

“But according to Him that hath called you, who is holy, be you also in all manner of conversation holy: because it is written: You shall be holy, for I am holy." 1 St. Peter 1:15-16.

“Conversation" in this passage comes from a Greek word for "conduct." In all ways we are to live clean, godly lives. This includes the way we eat. According to Holy Scripture, we should eat clean food.

In the Scriptures, God explained that some food is not clean and should not be eaten. For example, Scripture says that swine (pigs) are unclean animals and should never be eaten. Both farmers and scientific researchers know that this is because they eat all kinds of garbage and are filled with worms and parasites. Our kind heavenly Father commands only that which is for our best good.  

After describing which animals, birds; and fish are unclean, the final verses of the eleventh chapter of Leviticus explain why we must not eat such creatures:

"Do not defile your souls, nor touch aught thereof, lest you be unclean, for I am the Lord your God: be holy because I am holy. Defile not your souls by any creeping thing that moveth upon the earth." -Leviticus. 11 :43-44.

Thus we see that God wants His people to have clean bodies. Heaven communicates with us through our brains; and, when the mind is clouded with impurities from bad food, then our moral nature is weakened and it is more difficult to resist temptation.

"You shall be holy, because I am holy. This is the law of beasts and fowls, and of every living creature that moveth in the waters, and creepeth on the earth: that you may know the differences of the clean, and unclean, and know what you ought to eat and what to refuse,"-Leviticus 11:46-47.

God's biddings are enablings. Every command of the Lord is actually a promise of divine help, to strengthen us to obey it. He commands us to be holy. Whenever God commands us to do something, He will help us do it.

Our Saviour wants us to be holy people, a holy nation. He gives us a holy diet, and wants us to eat moderately even of that which is good. In Leviticus 11, He tells us which are the scavenger animals, and commands us not to eat them. They are scavenger foods.

"The prohibition of so many kinds of beasts, birds, and fishes in the law, was ordered, first, to exercise the people in obedience and temperance; secondly, to restrain them from the vices of which these animals were symbols; thirdly, because the things here forbidden were for the most part unwholesome and not proper to be eaten; fourthly, that the people of God, by being obliged to abstain from things corporally [physically] unclean, might be trained up to seek a spiritual cleanness." -Footnote to Leviticus 11, Rheims-Douai Bible.

Elsewhere in Leviticus, God explains His purpose for our lives: "Sanctify yourselves, and be ye holy because I am the Lord your God."-Leviticus 20:7.

God is showing Himself as the source of the power needed to live a holy life. The command to live such a holy life is found, not only in St. Peter's writings, but all through the Scriptures. We can be thankful that God has told us how to live better, more wholesome lives,

CHAPTER SIX HIS MERCY AND JUSTICE ST. LUKE 1:50

The Virgin Mary tells us in her song about the continual mercies of God. "And His mercy is from generation unto generations, to them that fear Him."-St. Luke 1:50.

The word "fear," given here, means "reverence, awe, reverential respect." God is the Maker of all things! He is all powerful, and we are to bow in total submission, reverence, and worship to Him. No created being –anywhere is to receive our worship and reverence! Only the Creator of heaven and earth.

Those who fear - reverence, worship - the true God, hate every evil thing.

"The fear of the Lord hateth evil: I hate arrogance, and pride, and every wicked way, and a mouth with a double tongue."-Proverbs 8:13.

The followers of Christ hate evil and live righteousness. Christianity is not merely avoiding the negative; it is also loving those things which are good. "Thou [Christ] hast loved justice, and hated iniquity."-Hebrews 1:9.

The word “justice," in the Rheims-Douai, is frequently translated "righteousness" in many other translations. What is both justice and righteousness? They mean obedience to the law of God.

God's justice, His righteousness, is bound up in His eternal Ten Commandment law.

"Thy justice is justice for ever and Thy law is the truth."-Psalm 118:142.

"My tongue shall Pronounce Thy Word [proclaim Thy Scriptures] because all Thy commandments are justice."-Psalm 118:172.

Here is how another Church-approved version words this:

"Thy righteousness is righteous forever, and Thy law is true,"-Psalm 119:142, R.S.V.

 "My tongue will sing of Thy Word, for all Thy commandments are right."-Psalm 119: 172, R.S.V.

St Peter has stated it so well:

"Let him decline [stay away] from evil, and do good: let him seek after peace and pursue it: because the countenance of the Lord [is] upon them that do evil things."1 St. Peter 3:11-12.

King Solomon was a wise man; and, in the book of Ecclesiastes, he summarized the only way to live a happy, useful life which God could approve:

“Let us all hear together the conclusion of the discourse. Fear God, and keep His commandments: for this is all man [all that man needs to do].

"And all things that are done, God will bring into judgment for every error, whether it be good or evil. Ecclesiastes 12:13-14.

Another accepted version says it this way:

"The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God, and keep His commandments; for this is the whole duty of man..

"For God will bring every deed into judgment; with every secret thing, whether good or evil. "-:Ecclesiastes 12:13-14. R.S. V.'

Those who truly fear- truly reverence, -God will be those who obey His Ten Commandment law. A parallel passage to Ecclesiastes 12:13-14 is The Apocalypse 14:7-12. Both tell US that the ones who genuinely worship and reverence God are those who obey Him They will be safe in that hour when God judges the secrets of men.

"Fear the Lord and give Him honour, because the hour of His judgment is come; and adore ye Him, that made heaven and earth, the sea, and the fountains of waters." -The Apocalypse 14: 7.

At the end of time, as in all ages before, those who love and reverence God and keep His commandments-will be the ones who will be the closest to Him. The Apocalypse 14:1 emphasizes that God's people, living in the last days, will adore God--and no hurnan creature. The Apocalypse 14:12, which is only two verses before the second Advent of Christ, declares that God's special people, in the last days will keep His Ten Commandment law, by the faith of Jesus Christ.

"Here is the patience of the saints; who keep the Commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus." The Apocalypse 14:12.

The above verse defines a "saint" It is one who serves the Lord Jesus and who keeps God's commandments. We dare not set aside God's law as of little consequence. The immorality in the world today is destroying it. But it is because the great majority of mankind scorn obedience to God's moral law.

The Apocalypse, quoted above, explains that God's judgment of mankind will occur in the last days. The so called Apostles' Creed also mentions the fact that God is going to judge mankind. (It is officially acknowledged that the Apostles did not write it: The Catholic Encyclopedia explains: "Its name is not because of the fact that it was written by the Apostles."-Catholic Encyclopedia, p. 45.) Here is what the Apostles Creed says about the coming judgment:

"He [Christ] ascended into heaven, sits at the right hand of God, the Father. From thence He shall come to judge the living and the dead."--From the Apostles' Creed.

We know that the judgment is coming, and we want to prepare for it. In the strength of Christ' s enabling grace, we can obey God's law and do all that He asks of us in the Scriptures.

When St. Paul was brought before Governor Felix to answer for his faith, Felix was terrified at the thought of a judgment to come.

"And as he [St. Paul] treated of justice, and chastity, and of the judgment to come, Felix being terrified, answered: For this time, go thy way: but when I have a convenient time, I will send for thee."-Acts 24:25.

But Felix busied himself with other matters and did not return to talk to St. Paul about this. You and I do not want to be like Felix! We want to come to God right now surrender our lives to Him; -and determine, in His strength, to study and obey His Inspired Writings and tell others about them.

Fortunately, we know what those Inspired Writings are. They are the books of the Old and New Testaments: the Holy Bible.

All other books and writings and decrees are fallible and erring. Only the Sacred Scriptures are a safe guide on the pathway to heaven.