One of the things that, some of us did as children, as we grew up, was to measure our height against a wall.

 

We know how this method works…

> We stand next to a wall and make a pencil mark of our height.

>> A few weeks or months later, we come back to this place and measure how much we have grown.

 

 

Why did we do this?

> In order to see how much we have grown…

>> In order to check how much more we would wish to grow…     

>>> In order to know, “How big have we become!”

 

 

Today, we need to make a similar “height check” with respect to our God.

 

“How big is God in my life?”

 

 

The way we answer this question will determine how we live as a Christian.

 

 

The Gospel of the Day is a great expression of how Mother Mary considered the “height” of God in Her life.

 

> She realized the mighty presence of the Lord in Her lowly life.

 

> She understood the huge favour of the Lord bestowed in Her humble nature.

 

>> And so, with much acclaim and exclamation, Mary cries out, “My soul proclaims the glory of the Lord. My spirit rejoices in God my Saviour” (Lk 1: 46-47)

 

 The Angel Gabriel had announced to Mary that she been chosen to be the Mother of the Son of God.

>> The angel also declared that her cousin, Elizabeth had conceived in her old age.

 

 

In Her deep concern, humility and spirit of service, Mary makes a visit to Elizabeth.

 

Elizabeth called Mary as Blessed ‘for believing what was spoken to her by the Lord would be fulfilled’ (Lk 1: 45)

 

It’s in this context, that Mary exclaims the Magnificat.

 

The image of Mother Mary in this hymn of the Magnificat is that of a powerful and courageous lady.

                        

 

And these are evident in Her words of the Magnificat…

 

>> He has shown the strength of His arm, He has scattered the proud in their conceit.

 

>> He has cast down the mighty from their thrones, and has lifted up the lowly.

 

>> He has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich He has sent away empty.

 

>> He has come to the help of his servant Israel, for He has remembered His promise of mercy (Lk 1: 48-54)

 

 

These are not words of mere pious sentimentality or tender words of affection…

 

>> These are words which express immense bravery and courage!

 

 

The mighty works and wonders of the Lord had made Mother Mary to declare…

 

… Courage in a God who overpowers the proud and the haughty

 

… Faith in a God who takes decisive action on behalf of God’s people.

 

… Hope in a God who vindicates the righteous and condemns the wicked.

 

… Love in a God who liberates the oppressed, the powerless, the poor and hungry.

 

… Trust in a God who casts away the self-asserting rich and accept the dependable poor.

 

 

Mother Mary declared Her strong assertion and powerful claim in a MIGHTY God!

 

 

How Big and Mighty and Strong is God in our life?

 

>> Do we believe in the mighty strength of God even in seemingly impossible situations of life?

 

>> Do we trust in the awesome majesty of God even when the boat of our lives hits rock bottom?

 

>> Do we rely in the colossal power of God even when earthquakes of life wreck havoc in life?

 

 

The way we live is a direct consequence of the size of God in our lives!

 

>>> If we have a view of a Shrunken God, then we will live in constant anxiety of the world.

 

>>> If we have a view of an Insignificant God, then we will live in immorality and casualness

 

>>> If we have a view of a Tiny God, then we will live in lethargy, disinterest and indifference.

                                                                                                                                                                                                        

 

> When we make God small in our lives…

… we offer prayers without faith, worship without awe, service without joy and undergo suffering without hope.

 

> When we make God big in our lives…

… we live a life of daring faith, fearless obedience, zealous worship and passionate evangelization.

 

 

Let us measure the height and check the mark… “How Big is our God?”

 

 

With Mother Mary, let us also seek to joyfully proclaim the BIG GOD through the Magnificat – “My soul proclaims the glory of the Lord. My spirit rejoices in God my Saviour”

 

 

God Bless! Live Jesus!