Reflection from Rev Trevor Lloyd Reflection for September 8 2025 Today is one of the days on which we celebrate the blessed virgin Mary, the mother of Jesus, and one of the Gospel readings is Luke 1:46-55, Mary’s song: And Mary said: ‘My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour, for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed, for the Mighty One has done great things for me – holy is his name. His mercy extends to those who fear him, from generation to generation. He has performed mighty deeds with his arm; he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts. He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble. He has filled the hungry with good things but has sent the rich away empty. He has helped his servant Israel, remembering to be merciful to Abraham and his descendants for ever, just as he promised our ancestors.’ (NIV) As you reflect on today’s Gospel, reflect also on last week’s news and those who are in the headlines – and on your own life. For me, the thing that stands out is Mary’s humility. She celebrates the fact that God takes this unknown, humble and obedient girl and makes her the mother of his son. From her humble position she has every reason to glorify God, to magnify him, make him great, bring him glory, whatever the pain, whatever the cost. Being the mother of God can’t have been easy: it sounds a bit incomprehensible – how did that work, what was going to happen? Imagine the conversation with her cousin Elizabeth… Incomprehensible? How much do we need to know before we believe? Incomprehensible, but not incredible, and Mary in her obedience, accepts and believes what God’s messenger tells her. Politicians and others today get concerned about their legacy. Mary is sure of hers -’From now on all generations will call me blessed’ – and it’s all because of what God is doing. Not all her own work – it’s God who is working. Compare that with the leaders you’ve seen this week – Trump, Putin, Xi, Kim, Netanyahu – and pray for a bit of humility: Mary is sure God can do it: ‘He has brought down rulers from their thrones, but has lifted up the humble.’ Looking at leaders across the world, and perhaps especially at the rise of populist leaders with simple – easily comprehensible – slogans, perhaps we need to look at ourselves and those around us, at our expectations and the demands we make on leaders. Mary’s ‘proud or humble?’ set of choices challenge our assumptions about power and wealth and might give us the energy and motivation to work for a more upside-down society We pray for King Charles III, the anniversary of whose Accession we celebrate today, for ourselves, the media and world leaders that we might have attitudes and hopes that are more aligned with those of Mary. Almighty God, who looked upon the lowliness of the Blessed Virgin Mary and chose her to be the mother of your only Son: grant that we who are redeemed by his blood may share with her in the glory of your eternal kingdom; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, Amen. Common Worship: Collects and Post Communions, material from which is included here, is copyright © The Archbishops' Council 2000
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