August 15, 2021 - Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary

"A Hurdler’s Magnificat"

Audio Clip

It doesn’t happen very often, but on the rare occasion, I hear words spoken which are so perfectly formed that editing them would destroy their beauty. Our Blessed Mother’s Magnificat would certainly be considered one of those instances as she glorifies God for His power, holiness and mercy. And, recently, I heard an echoing of Mary’s praise in the words of Olympian Sydney McLaughlin --- winner of the gold medal in the 400 meter hurdles in Tokyo. I was sent her words by my daughter, and I thought so much of them that I did something I almost never do, I posted them on my Facebook page --- the response that I received was incredible.

If you’ll permit me, I’ll allow the words of Our Blessed Mother Mary and Sydney to preach for me.

First, our Lady’s Magnificat --- the words she spoke during her visitation to her cousin Elizabeth:

My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord, my spirit rejoices in God my Savior. For He has looked with favor on His lowly servant; from this day, all generations will call me blessed. The Almighty has done great things for me, and holy is His name. He has mercy on those who fear Him in every generation. He has shown the strength of His arm, He has scattered the proud in their conceit. He has cast down the mighty from their thrones and has lifted up the lowly. He has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich He has sent away empty. He has come to the help of His servant Israel, for he has remembered His promise of mercy, the promise He made to our fathers, to Abraham and his children forever.

Our Lady’s words, as St. Louis de Montfort teaches us, include the ten principal virtues of the most Holy Virgin Mary:

Profound humility, lively faith, blind obedience, continual prayer, universal mortification, divine purity, ardent charity and heroic patience.

Now, allow me to share the words of Sydney McLaughlin following her Gold Medal winning race --- it was an achievement she had worked and sacrificed for years to accomplish. Contrast these words with the often repeated phrases of self-promotion and egotism of many of today’s heroes of the secular world:

“What an honor it is to be able to represent not only my country, but also the Kingdom of God. What I have in Christ is far greater than what I have or don’t have in life. I pray my journey may be a clear depiction of submission and obedience to God. Even when it doesn’t make sense, even when it doesn’t seem possible. He will make a way out of no way. Not for my own gratification, but for His glory. I have never seen God fail in my life. In anyone’s life for that matter. Just because I may not win every race, or receive every one of my heart’s desires, does not mean God has failed. His will is PERFECT. And He has prepared me for a moment such as this. That I may use the gifts He has given me to point all the attention back to Him. Thank. You. God.”

By surrendering our will to God, our life becomes His life, our dreams become His dreams and our spirit becomes His spirit. My friends, let us pray that Jesus will strengthen us in grace to trust in His Divine providence. And, when we are faced with uncertainty or worry, may our eyes stay fixed on Jesus and allow Him to guide our lives and perfect our faith.

We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.