Feast of St. Mary, Mother of our Lord August 15

This day has been kept as the feast of the Blessed Mother Mary since ancient times. Here is Mary’s song from the Gospel of Luke.

My soul magnifies the Lord
and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
for he has regarded the lowliness of his handmaid.
For behold, henceforth all generations shall call me blessed;
for he who is mighty has done great things for me,
and holy is his name;
His mercy is from generation to generation
on those who fear him.
He has shown might with his arm,
he has scattered the proud in the conceit of their heart.
he has put down the mighty from their thrones,
and has exalted the lowly.
He has filled the hungry with good things,
and the rich he has sent away empty.
He has given help to Israel, his servant, mindful of his mercy
even as he spoke to our fathers,

to Abraham and to his posterity forever. Luke 1:46-55

In 1520 Prince John Frederick, Duke of Saxony, wrote a letter to Martin Luther asking him to suggest a prayer that might serve him in his role as a ruler. Luther replied with a long exposition of Mary’s song from Luke. Luther maintained a special regard for Mary throughout his life. Subsequent generations of Protestants lost track of her all together, even to this day. We need to get her back. Here are a few lines from the introduction to the comments Luther sent to the inquiring duke.

Now I do not know in all the Scriptures anything that so well serves such a purpose as this sacred hymn of the most blessed Mother of God, which ought indeed to be learned and kept in mind by all who would rule well and be helpful lords. Truly she sings in it most sweetly of the fear of God, what manner of lord He is, and especially what His dealings are with those of high and of low degree. Let another listen to his love singing a worldly ditty; this pure Virgin well deserves to be heard by a prince and lord, as she sings him her sacred, chaste and salutary song. It is a fine custom, too, that this canticle is sung in all the churches daily at vespers, and to a particular and appropriate setting that distinguishes it from the other chants. May the tender Mother of God herself procure for you the spirit of wisdom, profitably and thoroughly to expound this song of hers, so that your Grace as well as we all may draw therefrom wholesome knowledge and a praiseworthy life, and thus come to chant and sing this Magnificat eternally in heaven. To this may God help us.

– Martin Luther -1521