The Liturgy of this last week of Advent is filled with readings dwelling on the expectation of promises to be fulfilled and the exultation of joy in promises made good. Todays' readings are no exception. Hannah, in the first reading and in the Responsorial Psalm, has had her bitterness and resentment at being barren turn into overflowing joy, a joy which is so complete she fulfills her vow to surrender her first born to the Lord. As she does so, she breaks forth into a song of joyous praise of the Lord. Part of this song is the Responsorial Psalm for today.

The parallels between Hannah's song and Mary's Magnificat (the Gospel Reading) which she prays when she greets Elizabeth, her cousin, are obvious. Her prayer, inspired by the Holy Spirit and based on the culture of her people and on the Scriptures in which she was so steeped, echoes Hannah's in the joy she finds in God her Saviour. Not only does Mary magnify God for her own experience of Him and what He has done in her, she goes further in magnifying God for Himself.

In her abandonment to God's love Mary also sees how this love is reflected in all humanity and human history. She speaks of the reversal of positions in life, a reversal which takes place silently but radically because God, not human beings, is now the measure. It is a reversal because of faith - an eternal richness because of faith in God.