It is recorded that Mary burst into a song of exultation when she was sharing the news of her pregnancy with her cousin, Elizabeth, “My soul magnifies the Lord!”
What is your song? What is your litany? It is worth considering. A litany is a “lengthy repetition.” Certainly we all need to share our burdens with our friends to lighten our load and feel their support.
However, there are times when the litany we are repeating doesn’t benefit us or anyone else. Instead, it only serves to cement our suffering and facilitate a world-view of self-pity—a litany of woe.
I caught myself in such a litany the other day, and I felt ashamed. How many times do I need to hear myself say something before I feel validated and move on?
The truth is for me (and you) as was for Mary: “Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed.” So I feel the invitation to recite a litany of praise.
Let us encourage and inspire one another with remembering and sharing our many blessings this Advent season, replacing the litany of woe with a litany of praise. The Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is his name!
“A litany of praise,” ... that phrase jumped right out at me. A thousand times yes & then again. Our God is Great!