Is Mary guilty of Schadenfreude, malicious delight at the misfortune of others? Sounds like it in the Magnificat. She rejoices that God “has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts; he has brought down the mighty from their thrones” and “the rich he has sent empty away” (Luke 1:46-55).
No, it’s not glee at their smack down. Without a Savior we’ll all get what we deserve. Salvation, her Child, is Mary’s joy. What Mary saw, we see in our news and neighborhoods. Idolatrous pride and arrogance, the flaunting of money and wealth, but also my evil impulses, thoughts and actions, yours too… Dear God, save us from all this! “Oh that you would rend the heavens and come down, that the mountains might quake at your presence…to make your name known to your adversaries, and that the nations might tremble at your presence!” (Isaiah 64:1-2)
“Stir up your power, O Lord, and come and help us by Your might, that the sins which weigh us down may be quickly lifted by Your grace and mercy.” Jesus came; Jesus comes; Jesus will come again. “My spirit rejoices in God my Savior” (Luke 1:47).
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