My soul magnifies the Lord!
January 13, 2026
Saint Hilary
Dear Family of Mary!
In the first book of Samuel, we hear the amazing story of Hannah, the second wife of Elkanah! She was very beloved of her husband, but could not conceive a child. In desparation she went to Eli, the prophet at Shiloh. There she begged the Lord for a child. And Eli prophesied thad she would indeed bear a child.
When Hannah returned home, she did conceive and she bore a son, named Samuel. And she fulfilled a vow she had made, taking the boy to Eli, and leaving him there to serve the Lord. This Samuel became a great prophet for Israel.
This event is a precursor for the incredible conceptions of John the Baptist by Elizabeth, and the Immaculate Conception of our Lord Jesus Christ by Mary. God works in amazing ways!! And our faith stands on these miraculous events.
Here is the song of praise that Hannah sang to the Lord for the gift of Samuel:
1Sam.2
Hannah also prayed and said,
“My heart exults in the LORD;
my strength is exalted in the LORD.
My mouth derides my enemies,
because I rejoice in thy salvation.
“There is none holy like the LORD,
there is none besides thee;
there is no rock like our God.
Talk no more so very proudly,
let not arrogance come from your mouth;
for the LORD is a God of knowledge,
and by him actions are weighed.
The bows of the mighty are broken,
but the feeble gird on strength.
Those who were full have hired themselves out for bread,
but those who were hungry have ceased to hunger.
The barren has borne seven,
but she who has many children is forlorn.
The LORD kills and brings to life;
he brings down to Sheol and raises up.
The LORD makes poor and makes rich;
he brings low, he also exalts.
He raises up the poor from the dust;
he lifts the needy from the ash heap,
to make them sit with princes
and inherit a seat of honor.
For the pillars of the earth are the LORD’S,
and on them he has set the world.
“He will guard the feet of his faithful ones;
but the wicked shall be cut off in darkness;
for not by might shall a man prevail.
The adversaries of the LORD shall be broken to pieces;
against them he will thunder in heaven.
The LORD will judge the ends of the earth;
he will give strength to his king,
and exalt the power of his anointed.”
Then Elka’nah went home to Ramah. And the boy ministered to the LORD, in the presence of Eli the priest.
And of course, Our Lady sang her absolutely beautiful song of praise to God for Jesus, her Divine Son:
Luke 1:46 to 55!
And Mary said, “My soul magnifies the Lord,
and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
for he has regarded the low estate of his handmaiden.
For behold, henceforth all generations will call me blessed;
for he who is mighty has done great things for me,
and holy is his name.
And his mercy is on those who fear him
from generation to generation.
He has shown strength with his arm,
he has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts,
he has put down the mighty from their thrones,
and exalted those of low degree;
he has filled the hungry with good things,
and the rich he has sent empty away.
He has helped his servant Israel,
in remembrance of his mercy,
as he spoke to our fathers,
to Abraham and to his posterity for ever.”
Both Hannah and Mary experienced the incredible power and love of God. Mary, of course, was raised up to the highest degree as the Mother of God! But she always remained a humble handmaiden of the Lord. And we are the grateful recipients of her glorius Motherhood! And she longs for us to realize that we are her children as well! Through Jesus’ total gift of Himself in His life, death and resurrection, we are given the grace to become Children of God!
Our Lady has asked us to realize our call to become children of God in this message:
December 25, 2021 – Jakov
“Dear children, you are, and you are called, ‘children of God’. If only your hearts would feel that immeasurable love which God has for you, your hearts would adore and give thanks to Him at every instant of your life. Therefore, little children, today, on this day of grace, open your hearts and implore the Lord for the gift of faith; so that you could truly become worthy of the name ‘children of God’ who, with a pure heart, give thanks to and honor their Heavenly Father. I am beside you and am blessing you with my motherly blessing.”
May we cherish the gift of adoption as sons and daughters of God, and every day give thanks to God for drawing us to Himself, through Jesus and through Mary! God does absolutely wonderful things for us, and Holy is His Name!!!
In Jesus, Mary and Joseph!
Cathy Nolan
Mary TV
P.S. Please pray about how you can help Mary TV share Our Lady’s presence in Medjugorje with the world!
