Welcome to the fourth and final week of Advent.

We’re almost there! 

HE is almost here!

But… we keep waiting. We keep longing for things to be made right. For a little while longer. 

Today we are waiting with Kat Armas. Kat is a Cuban-American writer and podcaster from Miami, FL who holds a dual MDiv and MAT. Her first book, Abuelita Faith: What Women on the Margins Teach Us About Wisdom, Persistence and Strength sits at the intersection of women, Scripture, and Cuban identity. She also explores these topics on her podcast, The Protagonistas, which centers the voices of Black, Indigenous, and other women of color in church leadership and theology.

Here’s my conversation with Kat Armas. 

[Transcript of conversation coming soon.]

A few episodes back I said that Mary points us to Jesus. And I believe this wholeheartedly. It’s important that we look to Mary, and listen to her, as we too look to be spiritually formed by the Christ whose image we bear. 

So let’s look at Luke 1 and listen to the words of Mary – The Magnificat, sometimes referred to as Mary’s song… and we’ll use the practice of Lectio Divina, an ancient liturgical practice for praying the scriptures. It is a Latin phrase that means “sacred reading.” It is a way of praying and listening for the still, small voice of God speaking through gentle reading or listening of scripture. Lectio Divina has also been known as “listening with the ear of the heart.” 

As you settle into a place of loving openness, in a posture or position to listen more deeply, I will read Mary’s Magnificat three times. There will be a moment of silence for reflection after each reading. 

While you listen to the first reading, listen for a word or a phrase that draws your attention. 

During the second reading, consider how this passage touches your life today. 

For the third reading, consider if there is an invitation for you from this passage of scripture.

Luke 1:46-55

And Mary said,
“My soul magnifies the Lord,
and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
for he has looked with favor on the lowliness of his servant.
Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed;
for the Mighty One has done great things for me,
and holy is his name.
His mercy is for those who fear him
from generation to generation.
He has shown strength with his arm;
he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts.
He has brought down the powerful from their thrones,
and lifted up the lowly;
he has filled the hungry with good things,
He has helped his servant Israel,
in remembrance of his mercy,
according to the promise he made to our ancestors,
to Abraham and to his descendants forever.”

PRAYER

May our souls magnify you, O God
May our spirit rejoice in you
May our words, and our actions and our choices glorify your name
May our presence make way for your peace
May our lives lift up and make known your love 

May we believe… that you, God, are with us.
And may we each live as though we believe… that you, God, are with us

Immanuel, God with us

Be here now, God

Be with us

Amen