Magnify

 Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary

15 August 2021 

 

First Reading: RV 11:19a; 12:1-6a, 10ab

Responsorial Psalm: PS 45:10, 11, 12 16

Second Reading: 1 COR 15:20-7

Gospel: LK 1:39-56

 

Reflection

By: Gary Tulabut

 

Last month, our worship team at the Light of Jesus (LOJ) Pampanga was invited to represent the whole LOJ North and Central Luzon for a live worship concert organized by the LOJ Provincial. We were one of only two bands who will be leading worship live at the venue. The rest had their worship songs pre-recorded.

Despite all my issues in singing (timing and memorizing lyrics which I attribute to karaoke singing, hehe), I was selected to be the only male among four vocalists.

Because of those issues, I could easily say no to the one who chose me. But how could I? For just a month earlier, in one business boot camp activity, we were asked to make a dream board. And in the "spiritual" part of my dream board, I pasted a photo of me leading worship.

So, I accepted with the hope and prayer that with ample practice, I would be able to overcome those issues. And yes, after two weeks of practice, I was ready to be the lead vocalist for one of the songs.

But on the night before the band travelled to the venue in Bulacan, I found out that someone I had contact with was experiencing CoVid symptoms. I decided that night that I will not go with the band. Anyway, one very good singer from another province will be there to substitute me. He did not need to practice anyway.

Thank God, the one with symptoms, who I had contact with, and I were not infected, the worship concert went well, and our band was amazing leading in worshipping God.

A few days after the event, while I as telling the story to another group, I used the word "perform" instead of "lead worship".

I paused for a while and thought, "Maybe that is why I wasn't able to join them." I normally watch my motives in service and even ask the Lord to purify them. Maybe this time I failed. That in my subconscious, I was still thinking the whole thing as a performance instead of a service leading people to worship God.

I love the song I was assigned to lead. And I was confident that I could render it very well after that two-week practice. Maybe, subconsciously, I was already imagining how I would be praised in Facebook and Instagram with all those likes, hearts, and shares.

In our Gospel for this Sunday, Elizabeth praised her cousin, Mama Mary, for being blessed by carrying the Lord in her womb. Immediately, Mama Mary sent her praises to God through what we know as the Magnificat.

May every praise we receive for our success, blessings, talents, and good deeds be diverted to God.

May our goal in service be to glorify God rather than ourselves.

And may everything we do bear fruits that magnify the Lord!

 

Prayer

 

Mama Mary, pray for us.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. Amen.