Justice - Luke 1:46-55 - Advent 3a - 12-11-22

Sermon podcast from the Third Sunday of Advent, 12-11-22 worship service - St. Paul's UCC in Downers Grove, IL.  Luke 1:46-55

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"Justice" podcast

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Justice

Sermon podcast from the third Sunday of Advent - December 15, 2019, at St. Paul's UCC in Downers Grove, IL.  Luke 1:46-55

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"Justice" podcast

Justice

Sermon podcast from this past Sunday at St. Paul's UCC in Downers Grove -- Mary's Song
"Justice" podcast

Subversive

What if we paid "between the lines" attention to Mary’s song of Praise from this week's Bible reading from Luke 1:46-55?

How dangerous would it have been in it’s original time? 

• My soul magnifies the Lord, (and it is not Caesar)
• and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, (he rescues me from oppression)
• for he has looked with favor on the lowliness of his servant.  (humbleness is a virtue – power is not)
• Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed; (they’ll forget about the powerful of this generation)
• for the Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is his name. (and, again, his name is not Caesar!)
• His mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation.  (anything that challenges the power or the mercy of Caesar is dangerous)
• He has shown strength with his arm;  (it is stronger than the power of any earthly ruler)
• he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts.  (the powerful are the ones who will be in exile!)
• He has brought down the powerful from their thrones, and lifted up the lowly;  (that’s treasonous, right?)
• he has filled the hungry with good things, and sent the rich away empty. (does 'the rich' include the rulers?)

How does a "between the lines"reading of the song play out now?  How subversive is it today?

A Subversive Canticle

Here's this week's Bible reflection -

What if we paid attention to Mary’s song of Praise from Luke 1:46-55? How dangerous would it have been in it’s original time?

• My soul magnifies the Lord, (and it is not Caesar)
• and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, (He rescues me from oppression)
• for he has looked with favor on the lowliness of his servant.  (Humbleness is a virtue – power is not)
• Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed; (They’ll forget about the powerful of this generation)
• for the Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is his name. (And, again, his name is not Caesar!)
• His mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation.  (Anything that challenges the power or the mercy of Caesar is dangerous)
• He has shown strength with his arm;  (It is stronger than the power of any earthly ruler)
• he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts.  (The powerful are the ones who will be in exile!)
• He has brought down the powerful from their thrones, and lifted up the lowly;  (That’s treasonous, right?)
• he has filled the hungry with good things, and sent the rich away empty. (Does the rich include the rulers?)

How does a subversive reading of the song play out now?  How dangerous is it today?

Singing

This week's Bible study blog post for i.ucc (Diddley Magnificat) does make an appearance (near the end) but it is just a small part of this week's fun sermon at Union Congregational United Church of Christ in Somonauk.
"Singing" text
"Singing" podcast

Diddley Magnificat

Here's this week's Bible study blog post for i.ucc:

I wrote this several years back as part of a Children’s Christmas program. It’s really fun to sing! Everyone grab a guitar, get your best ‘Bo Diddley’ rhythm going and let’s rock!

Oh! How I Praise the Lord! (Mary’s Song)
Word and music by Kirk Moore

Oh! How I praise the Lord (echo)
God’s the one to be adored (echo)
God is mighty – Holy one! (echo)
Great is all the Lord has done! (echo)
Such mercy here for all who fear (echo)
God’s the one I hold so dear! (echo)
Oh How I praise the Lord! (echo)
God’s the one to be adored (echo)
God’s the one to be adored (echo)
Oh! How I praise the Lord! (echo)
Oh! How I praise the Lord! (echo)

© 1998 Kirk Moore