“Canticle of the Turning”

Recent weeks may have been stressful for you as division
hampers “e pluribus unum.” Division, however, never wins; eventually unity rises
victorious. Every night those who pray the Liturgy of the Hours pray Mary’s
Magnificat: “My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord.” A modern version of
Mary’s song is “Canticle of the Turning” by Rory Cooney. “My soul cries out
with a joyful shout.” The hymn claims Mary “sings of the wondrous things.” What
things? God fills the hungry, comes to the aid of those in need, extends mercy.
This lively hymn repeats the issues of social justice found in Luke 1:46-58. Tyrants,
beware! Mighty power will be put to flight. Fortresses will be demolished. The
hungry will weep no more. The “spear and rod can be crushed by God, who is
turning the world around.” When visiting her cousin Elizabeth, Mary shared the
Good News: “Wipe away all tears, for the dawn draws near; and the world is
about to turn!”  With Mary let us praise
God for the impact her Divine Child has had upon our world.