By Sister Emma Luz, O.C.D.
How big does God appear when our minds are preoccupied with concerns, worries and the cares of daily life? Magnifying God’s greatness in our lives means moving from a self-focused existence to a God-focused one as the saints did, which liberates the mind and heart to live in the freedom of God’s beloved children, “taking every thought captive to obey Christ” (2 Corinthians 10:5).
The early Carmelite hermits taught, “Wherever we direct our mental gaze, there we may be said to stand.” Where we stand is where we are mentally and emotionally present. The act of the mind makes us aware of God’s presence, and it can also make us preoccupied, putting our attention elsewhere.
Preoccupations move us out of the present moment. Self-absorption and self-concern follow if a deliberate choice of the will does not stop us from looking away from God. Mother Luisita counsels, “We shouldn’t preoccupy ourselves with what might happen. What comes from God or is permitted by Him who loves us so much and wishes our greatest welfare shouldn’t cause us to worry.” She would also teach us to look to Mary as our star to guide us in magnifying God’s greatness in our lives.
Mary lived in the present moment with her full mental gaze directed toward the God of love. The knowledge of being favored, full of divine favor, heightened her desire to magnify Him. Mary accepts the name given “Full of Grace.” She accepts being loved.
The intensity of Mary’s joy in being so loved bursts forth in an explosion of praise in the Magnificat – a canticle exalting God in what He has done in her. Her great capacity for amazement and wonder is in complete opposition to narcissism. In the twelve references made to God in this canticle, Mary teaches us to live a life preoccupied with God’s blessings, laying aside the weight of self-preoccupation. This is the path to true joy, peace and freedom.
“I will praise the name of God with a song; I will magnify Him with thanksgiving” (Psalm 69:30).
