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FROM
THE SERVANT GENERAL
OVERTURNING
LIVES
December
22, 2011
Today’s
readings:
1 Samuel 2:1-8
Luke 1:46-56
God is a God who overturns and radically changes lives. In
doing so, He is able to do the impossible. God enabled the
barren Hannah to conceive and bear a son. God enabled the
virgin Mary to conceive and bear a son.
As we face the challenges and trials of life, we look to such
a God. When we are down, we know He can raise us up. When
we are up, we are mindful that He can bring us down. He is
an all-knowing God who judges our deeds (2 Sm 2:3b), knowing
what is best for us.
See what our God can do or cause to happen.
Verse
|
Up
to Down |
Down
to Up |
| 1
Sm 2:4 |
Bows
of mighty are broken |
The
tottering gird on strength |
| 1
Sm 2:5a |
Well-fed
become hungry |
Hungry
become well-fed |
| 1
Sm 2:5b |
Mother
of many languishes |
Barren
wife bears 7 sons |
| 1
Sm 2:6a |
Puts
to death |
Gives
life |
| 1
Sm 2:6b |
Casts
down to nether world |
Raises
up |
| 1
Sm 2:7a |
Makes
poor |
Makes
rich |
| 1
Sm 2:7b |
Humbles |
Exalts |
| Lk
1:52 |
Throws
down rulers |
Lifts
up the lowly |
| Lk
1:53 |
Sends rich away empty |
Fills
hungry with good things |
How
do we look to God acting in our life to raise us up and not
bring us down?
First, be humble. Walk humbly with our God. Especially when
we are blessed with good things, we should not sink to sinful
pride, but acknowledge that apart from God we are nothing.
Know that God disperses “the arrogant of mind and heart.”
(Lk 1:51b). When we accomplish things, including spiritual
work, we acknowledge that such is done only by the grace of
God and the power of His Spirit. “Speak boastfully no
longer, nor let arrogance issue from your mouths.” (2
Sm 2:3a).
Second, fear God, in order to receive His mercy. “His
mercy is from age to age to those who fear him.” (Lk
1:50). We stand in awe of His great majesty. We give Him the
worship that is His due. We obey His commandments. We walk
the straight path of righteousness. We carry out our task
as His servants, mindful that He helps His servants as He
is mindful of His mercy (Lk 1:54).
Third, rejoice always. Whatever is happening to our lives
at the moment, we know that Jesus has already redeemed us,
that we are children of God whom He loves, that God has a
great and wonderful plan for our lives. We even see suffering
as redemptive. We can always look to God raising us in His
time and in His way. In the meantime, we know we can trust
in Him. Like Mary, we can proclaim, “my spirit rejoices
in God my savior.” (Lk 1:47).
Fourth, proclaim Him and His great majesty. Witness to your
faith. Do the work of evangelization and mission. Be the instrument
of God’s salvation that He intends for you to be. Desire
to share with others your joy in Christ. Again like Mary,
say, “My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord”
(Lk 1:46).
As God decides to lift us up and exalt us, He goes all the
way. “He raises the needy from the dust; from the ash
heap he lifts up the poor, to seat them with nobles and make
a glorious throne their heritage.” (1 Sm 2:8). From
sitting on the ash heap to sitting on a throne! Like what
God did for Mary, He looked upon her lowliness and did great
things for her, such that all ages call her blessed (Lk 1:48-49a).
We are descendants of Abraham and are heirs to God’s
promise to our fathers (Lk 1:55). We face a glorious and victorious
future. Let us then respond like Hannah, and worship the Lord,
for “holy is his name.” (Lk 1:49b).
“My
heart exults in the Lord,
my horn is exalted in my God.
I have swallowed up my enemies;
I rejoice in my victory.
There is no Holy One like the Lord;
there is no Rock like our God.”
(1 Sm 2:1-2)
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