Posted by The WORD in other words (2022) by Fr Jonathan Letada SVD – Catholic Trade Manila
Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary – August 15
Photo: Statue of the the Blessed Virgin Mary in the Cathedral of the Archdiocese of Kinshasa, Cathedral Notre Dame du Congo
The Magnificat is Mary’s prayer of gratitude to God who chose her to be involved in God’s work of saving humankind. Her assumption into heavenly glory, body and soul, is a grace given to Mary, not an exclusive privilege but an invitation for all of us to thank God for the gift of heaven.
Are you truly grateful to God?
What does the Magnificat of Mary teach us about gratitude?
First, to be grateful is to acclaim the wonderful things that God has done for us.It is the happiness of God to bless us, assist us, support us in all our needs, guide us and much more to save us. It is the joy of God to love us to the full.
Second, to be grateful is to humbly recognize that all that we have is a GIFT.Jesus, the beloved Son of the Father, is the precious gift of God for all of us. We are given the gift not on account of personal merit, but by virtue of God’s gratuitousness (kagandahang loob). We have to realize that we don’t own those gifts, but we are simply the steward of them (katiwala).
Third, being grateful is to be generous in sharing our gifts, blessings, and provisions to others through unselfish and humble service. Bishop Bacani once said, “All that we have and all that we possess is not all mine to keep but all mine to share.”
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