King and the poor remnant

The liturgy for today for which the texts of the RomanCatholic Lectionary were chosen opens with the “O Antiphon” “Rex Gentium” (King of the Nations). The text from the Book of Samuel tells of the offering of Samuel to the service of God in the Temple as completion of the promise made by Hannah, his mother, after the miracle of Samuel’s birth to her, a barren woman. The praise of God and the special understanding that the “poor ones of Yahweh” have of the love and mercy of God is expressed in the canticle from the second chapter of 1 Samuel. Fr. Richard Heilman writes a blog which explains that Anawim (pronounced ann-a-weem) is a Hebrew word from the Old Testament which describes the “poor ones” who remained faithful to God in times of difficulty. These humble people became known as the anawim or the “faithful remnant.” Friar JudeWinkler looks at the “Magnificat” of Mary from the Gospel of Luke as one of 3 Christian hymns selected by Luke for the passages about Jesus birth and presentation to the world. Mary celebrates the Anawim as those who get the message of the Incarnation. These people for whom humility, obedience to the will of God and trust in Providence are lived values, welcome the fulfilment of the Promise through the “yes” of Mary. The “yes” of Mary is the model for all believers. The Christian becomes the bearer of Christ to all people. Other scholars have commented on the fulfillment of the Beatitudes which is included in the Magnificat. The account of these blessings is different in Matthew 5:3-12 and Luke 6:20-23. The “missing” parts in the description from Luke can be found in the description in the Magnificat of those who have been able to put the idols of power, pride and self worship aside to be witness to the magnificent graciousness of the King of the Nations to offer intimate relationship with the poor in Spirit.