Musings Along Life's Way: Repeat the Sounding Joy!

When it's over, I want to say: all my life
I was a bride married to amazement
I was the bridegroom, taking the world into my arms.

-Mary Oliver, When Death Comes

Mary says, “My soul magnifies the Lord.” The poet, Mary Oliver, writes, “When it’s over, I want to say: all my life I was a bride married to amazement.” I find all the hope I need in those words.

I love to be amazed. The sun sets, fire red on the horizon, and I lose myself in its beauty. A child comes up to give a hug, and I’m transformed. Where before I met the world with a grunt, now, because small arms reached around as far as they could reach, I greet the world with joy. Awe and wonder take us home to God. So, Mary, telling her cousin Elizabeth of her life blessed by God, says, “my soul magnifies the Lord.” New life, hope, joy, awe and wonder – Mary is just overfull. See how the good news of Emmanuel (God with us) pours out of her onto Elizabeth. See how the blessing is magnified, multiplies and touches many. See how even 2000 plus years later Mary’s magnifcat streams into our hearts and lives, lifting us into the possibility of new life, giving us as one presidential candidate is wont to say, “the audacity of hope.”

Blessings, David