Horn of Oil

Heart of Mary

-Exalt-

First, soft pink blossoms floating up toward heaven, their petals bright and delicate, a girl’s praise and a promise of ripe fruit to follow.Then a green freshness rises, stems and leaves crushed beneath wandering feet, the quiet sweetness of herbs warmed in the afternoon sun.A gentle warmth follows: skin flushed with song. It lingers there, bright and living, as praise rises from the lowly and the mercy of God begins to unfold.

ANoint

Roll EXALT onto the pulse point of each wrist.

Inhale

Draw the fragrance in. Experience the scents of this moment.

Step into the story...

Soundscape

Listen as you read.

Scripture

Luke 1:46-55

Mary said, “My soul magnifies the Lord. My spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior, for he has looked at the humble state of his servant.For behold, from now on, all generations will call me blessed. For he who is mighty has done great things for me.Holy is his name.His mercy is for generations and generations on those who fear him.He has shown strength with his arm.He has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.He has put down princes from their thrones, and has exalted the lowly.He has filled the hungry with good things.He has sent the rich away empty.He has given help to Israel, his servant, that he might remember mercy, as he spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and his offspring forever.”

Scripture from the World English Bible (WEB), public domain.

Reflection

Return to the fragrance.Inhale the scent of EXALT.Stand beside Mary as her song begins.She is young, unknown, without rank or influence. But God has seen her.He has looked upon his lowly servant and Mary recognizes her part in something larger than herself.This is who God is.
He brings down the proud.
He lifts the lowly.
He fills the hungry.
He remembers the forgotten.
The world has its measures of significance: power, wealth, recognition, and achievement.God is not influenced by them.Again and again, he chooses those the world would pass over and draws them into his purposes.Whose recognition are you still hoping to earn?You do not have to make yourself great.Exalt the God who sees the lowly and let him decide what he will do with an ordinary life.

Stay here a moment.Let the fragrance of exaltation
settle gently around you.And when you rise,
it goes with you.

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