So, I’ve had writer’s block recently.  Maybe I’m just too distracted with thinking about myself.  I’ve been doing a lot of that lately.  Hate to admit it.  But it’s true, so might as well be honest about it.  Anyhoo… I’ll get that turned around.  I’m going to try to break out of that block by commenting on what I’m reading right now.  I’ve just started reading in the Gospel of Luke and was taken aback by the seemingly preferential treatment for the poor described in the prayer of Mary:

Luke 1:52-53
He has put down the mighty from their thrones,
And exalted the lowly.
He has filled the hungry with good things,
And the rich He has sent away empty.

What made me pause was there was no reference to the wicked mighty, or the oppressive mighty.  Just a blanket statement that God’s will seems to be that those in a position of power and wealth will be pulled down, and the lowly will be lifted up, filled and content.  Seems kind of like a downer.  Negative.  Bummer.  God’s about blessing and not tearing down, right?  Ironically, Mary’s prayer is a Spirit-inspired song/poem of rejoicing. Rejoicing!

So why do we see it as such a negative thing?  Hmmm… maybe because we are among the mighty?  Among the rich?  By world standards, we are.  And we take great pride in that might, success, and wealth.  So, why would The Spirit inspire a song of rejoicing in the mighty being brought down and the poor being exalted?  The hungry being filled and the rich being sent away empty?  I think St. Augustine nailed it:

“God does not demand much of you. He asks back what he gave you, and from him you take what is enough for you. The superfluities of the rich are the necessities of the poor. When you possess superfluities, you possess what belongs to others.” (Saint Augustine’s Exposition on Psalm 147).

We possess what belongs to others.  Not under the law of men.  But under God’s law, we possess what belongs to others.  The Spirit is not rejoicing in the decline of the mighty and the rich.  The Spirit is rejoicing in the vision of equality.  Community.  Our excess meeting the needs of others so that all might be filled.  Notice that there is no mention of destroying the rich.  I get more of a feel of the rich being brought down and the poor being brought up until we come closer to meeting in the middle.  Closer to using the resources He created to support everyone in love.  That’s a reason for true rejoicing.

But The Spirit is clear here.  This idea that there is more than enough to support both our unrivaled power and luxury AND lift the poor out of their desperate need?  Nonsense.  It requires sacrifice.  It requires that we give back what belongs to others under God’s law.  And that is cause for great rejoicing.  It is only a loss for us if our priorities are not where they should be.