What does the Magnificat mean in the Cayman context?  In Luke 1:46-55, the Blessed Mother Mary praises God for God’s goodness, mercy, and blessings.

She says some seemingly strange things.  They are probably strange until the word speaks to you in your own situation.

Consider words such as, “God has performed mighty deeds with God’s arm; God has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts.  God has brought down rulers from their thrones, but has lifted up the humble.  God has filled the hungry with good things but has sent the rich away empty.”

Mary spoke from the depths of her reality.  She was not regurgitating an imposed theology.  She knew what it felt like to be despised, rejected, looked upon with suspicion, doubted, taken for a nobody, and most certainly she would have been considered as one without theological authority.

Like Mary, the task of the Caymanian theologian is to speak in the light of God, from the depths of the heart and soul of the Caymanian psyche and context.  Do we have the proud in their conceit who should also be scattered?  Are there individuals in this society who long to taste a home cooked meal before going to bed?  Are there parents who go without lunch so they can pay the school fee?  Should they ever expect a change in their situation when the reality of inflation exceeds the theoretical analysis?

The Blessed Mother was only too aware that those who contributed to the despising of the poor were not necessarily her alien counterparts; but anyone who exploited the poor. 

Which characteristics do the Cayman Islands share with the Israel of Mary’s day?  Is it a geographically small context?  Did its people ever know a time when they were hardly recognized? Did they have to grapple with poverty in the face of the wealthy who exploited the poor?

The exploitation of the poor includes the disregard for their identity as persons who also seek a just and reasonable livelihood.  The exploitation of the poor includes those activities which determine the value of human beings in relation to their material possessions.  The exploitation of the poor also includes the abuse of influence and power which seeks to hide the truth and divert the attention of the oppressed from issues that really matter to their future.

Mary celebrated the fact that she, a humble Jewish girl, was selected by God to bring the Saviour of the world. 

It is always interesting to see how God chooses those of seemingly little consequence.  Imagine, a woman, a Jew, a materially poor girl, a struggling people, a fearful and often despised people, a minority in the Middle East! 

Often we think that God’s choice is the individual whom we esteem, maybe because of economic independence, academic achievements, or other societal badges of accomplishments. 

However God’s word continues to be, “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways” (Isaiah 55:8).

Those we expect to be chosen by God may simply be among the called but not chosen! 

Do not underestimate yourself.  You are special in the eyes of God. Are you a minority for one reason or another?  Do you feel judged, condemned, despised? 

Who are you?  Have you felt or believed for some time that God could never be calling you?  Think again! God calls whomsoever God wills.

Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?”  And I said, “Here am I.  Send me!” (Isaiah 6:8).

Your country needs you.  If you love your people, allow yourself to be used for God’s purposes.  Become the vehicle of prophecy!  Speak the word in season and out of season.  God is calling you! 

The views expressed do not necessarily reflect those of St George’s Anglican Church.