"The scriptural commentary on the New Testament found in the authorized New American Bible suggests that the Magnificat, traditionally considered to be Mary's hymn of praise in response to her cousin Elizabeth's warm greeting, might possibly have been a hymn in circulation among early Jewish converts to Christianity. The hymn, now recited at daily Evening Prayer throughout the Church's liturgical year, abounds in Old Testament references. The lengthier song of Hanna in the First Book of Samuel (2:1-10) is almost an exact anticipation of Mary's verses. The writings of Isaiah, Jeremiah, Job and Micah each have similar lines and parallel phrases. . . .
"Whether the Magnificat was a spontaneous outburst of joy on the part of
Mary as an expectant mother or whether it was a pious reflection of the
later early Jewish Christian community grateful for redemption, the
canticle certainly leads to one observation: somebody knew the Bible. . . ."
In a recent commentary, Father John A. Kiley reflected on the importance of reading the Bible devoutly and regularly.
To access Fr. Kiley's complete column, please visit:
The Rhode Island Catholic: The Quit Corner: It's time for us to dust off our Bibles (11 AUG 22)
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