Word in the Hand

The Feast of the Assumption  My soul magnifies the Lord And my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour; Because he has regarded the lowliness of his handmaid; For behold, henceforth all generations shall call me blessed; Because he who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name; And his mercy is from generation to generation on those who fear him. He has shown might with his arm, He has scattered the proud in the conceit of their heart. He has put down the mighty from their thrones, and has exalted the lowly. He has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent away empty. He has given help to Israel, his servant, mindful of his mercy Even as he spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to his posterity forever. The Assumption is one of Mary’s great feasts and celebrates the love and continuing faith of the family that she was asked to care for. Through prayer, the Early Church decided that, on her death, Mary, a woman they had known as mother, dis...

Reflection on the Magnificat My soul proclaims its nearness to the Lord delighted and fulfilled. But my heart aches broken by the accusation of my own people shattered by stones of mistrust and judgment No angel's promise of comfort - rather  Life's pathway set out in shards of flint. A flinty gaze fills my eyes and they widen, seeking the future road staring into dark shadows; welcoming the desert heat that burns away the tears of hesitation before they fall -  They fall, regardless Each breath a tightening  a measured in and out  words said and unsaid considered, found wanting But not 'yes' Never 'yes'. For always - 'yes'. My heart aches with Love. With Love too much to be contained yet unrecognised. With Love that will lie in my arms bloody and helpless more than once. With Love that will live within me  and without me for more than Abraham; Forever. w...

Gospel Luke 1:39-56  Mary set out at that time and went as quickly as she could to a town in the hill country of Judah. She went into Zechariah’s house and greeted Elizabeth. Now as soon as Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the child leapt in her womb and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. She gave a loud cry and said, ‘Of all women you are the most blessed, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. Why should I be honoured with a visit from the mother of my Lord? For the moment your greeting reached my ears, the child in my womb leapt for joy. Yes, blessed is she who believed that the promise made her by the Lord would be fulfilled.’   And Mary said: ‘My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord and my spirit exults in God my saviour; because he has looked upon his lowly handmaid. Yes, from this day forward all generations will call me blessed, for the Almighty has done great things for me. Holy is his name, and his mercy reaches from age to age for those who ...