We continue with our examination of the 2019 BCP’s pastoral rites with the service of Thanksgiving for the Birth or Adoption of a Child. This week we look at the scripture read during the service.
The choice of the Magnificat and a portion of Psalm 116 are powerful. The first, the Magnificat (which is Latin for “Magnify”) taken from the first chapter of the Gospel according to Luke is the song of St. Mary as she responds to her cousin Elizabeth’s proclamation, “Blessed are you among women and blessed is the fruit of your womb.” Elizabeth recognizes the miraculous conception of Jesus, the child in Mary’s womb.
Mary’s song in response recognizes the blessing and grace that she is experiencing with this pregnancy and eventual birth. In the same way, every pregnancy is a miracle and every child a blessing. It is impossible for the mind to comprehend how God can take a relatively few cells from a man and woman and from them create a living, breathing, loving human being!
Psalm 116 captures the joy of knowing that God has heard and answered prayer.
I bid you to read these two scriptures through the eyes of new parents! May the Lord bless and keep you all!
|
|
No comments:
Post a Comment