My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior” (Luke 1:47)
During the Fourth Sunday in Advent, we always hear The Magnificat: Mary’s Song of Praise from Luke chapter one. Mary’s beautiful and powerful words always move me. Click above to listen to the Monks of Fontgombault Abbey chant Mary’s Magnificat (3:30).
During 2024, I spent the year dwelling in the Songs of St. Luke from the Gospel of Luke chapters one and two. The Magnificat: Mary’s Song of Praise (Luke 1:46-55); The Benedictus: Zechariah’s Song of Prophecy (Luke 1:68-79); The Nunc Dimittis: Simeon’s Song of Promise (Luke 2:29-32); and the Christmas Story (Luke 2:1-14). By the end of 2024, I have learned all these sacred songs and words by heart.
I decided to begin this spiritual journey with St. Luke during my 2023 Sabbatical. While worshiping with the monks and sisters at Gethsemani Abbey, Le Monastère des Augustines, St. Irenaeus Prayer and Retreat House, and St. Meinrad Archabbey, I noted the rhythm of St. Luke’s Songs in the services of daily prayer. Matins (Morning Prayer) always includes Zechariah’s Benedictus. Vespers (Evening Prayer) always includes Mary’s Magnificat. Compline (Night Prayer) always includes Simeon’s Nunc Dimittis. St. Luke’s Songs are also included in the Daily Prayer Services in Evangelical Lutheran Worship (pages 298-327).
It had been a long time since I memorized passages of Scripture, and my ability to memorize is not what it used to be. The practice that helped me the most was to listen to a recording of the Songs of St. Luke. I used my cell phone to record the passages, and then listened to them daily. Through this intentional practice of holy listening, the Songs of St. Luke entered my memory and then my heart. These songs accompany me on long drives and long runs. They dwell in my heart and inhabit my soul. There is great power in holy listening.
As we read in Isaiah 55:3a:
“Incline your ear and come to me, listen so that you may live”.
2025 will be the Year of Listening in the Northwestern Ohio Synod, and we have put together a variety of awesome resources to help you and your faith community to learn the sacred art of listening together in the new year.
Click Here to check out our webpage of 2025 Year of Listening resources that include opportunities for personal and parish exploration, including:
- Year of Listening Bible Study (8-Sessions)
- New Testament Daily Bible Reading Plan
- Weekly Listening Practices
- Our book of the year: The Listening Life: Embracing Attentiveness in a World of Distraction (by Adam S McHugh) and discussion guide
- Monthly devotions for use by church councils, committees, staff, etc.