Journeying With Christ: The Coptic Month of Kiahk of the Nativity Fastናሙና

Week 3 Theme: St. Mary’s visit to St. Elizabeth

Day 6: Magnifying the Lord

In our journey with Christ, we are called to magnify the Lord, just as St. Mary did. When Mary received the news of God's plan for her life, she responded with a song of praise and exaltation. She proclaimed, "My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior" (Luke 1:46-47). Today, we contemplate the power of magnifying the Lord in our own lives through praise and worship. The Early Church Father, St. Ephrem the Syrian, encourages us to exalt God and give Him the honor He deserves. Let us lift our voices in praise, magnifying the Lord and declaring His goodness to the world.

To magnify the Lord is to make Him bigger and greater in our hearts and minds. It is not that God needs us to make Him larger, but rather, as we magnify Him, we gain a clearer vision of His majesty and splendor. Our perspective shifts, and we recognize His greatness above all else. St. Ephrem the Syrian beautifully expresses this truth, saying, "As we magnify God, our hearts expand to receive His abundant grace" (Hymns on Paradise).

When we magnify the Lord, our focus shifts from our own circumstances to the glory and goodness of God. It is easy to become consumed by the challenges and struggles we face on our journey with Christ. But as we intentionally magnify the Lord, we shift our gaze to His faithfulness, His love, and His sovereignty. We declare with confidence, "Great is the Lord and most worthy of praise; His greatness no one can fathom" (Psalm 145:3).

Magnifying the Lord also involves acknowledging His works and proclaiming His greatness to others. We see this exemplified in St.Mary's song of praise, which not only exalted God but also testified to His faithfulness throughout history. As we journey with Christ, we are called to bear witness to His goodness and share the story of His transformative work in our lives. Magnify God with your words, that others may come to know His love through your testimony. St. Basil the Great, another Early Church Father, says, "By declaring the greatness of God's works, you lead others to admire Him and to give Him thanks for all His creation. And this is the greatest gratitude one can show God."

Magnifying the Lord through praise and worship is not limited to formal settings or specific times of the day. It is a posture of the heart that can be cultivated in every moment and in every aspect of our lives. Whether in our quiet moments of prayer, in the midst of our daily routines, or in the fellowship of faithful in the Divine Liturgy, we can continually offer praise to God and magnify His name. Let your life be a continuous hymn of praise, magnifying the Lord in all that you do. St. Ambrose of Milan says, "Let our lives reflect the love of the Lord, that others may see Christ in us, and that our worship may be in spirit and in truth."

As we magnify the Lord, we are transformed and our hearts are filled with gratitude, our spirits are lifted in joy, and our faith is strengthened. We experience the nearness of God and the richness of His presence. The worries and cares of this world fade away in the light of His glory and as we magnify God, our souls are illumined, and we are drawn closer to His divine embrace. St. John Chrysostom emphasized this point when he says, "As the eyes of the body are enlightened when they see light, so our spirit, when it is intent on God, is illumined by His infinite light."

Today, let us embrace the call to magnify the Lord. Let our lives be a symphony of praise, lifting high the name of Jesus and declaring His goodness to the world. May our hearts overflow with gratitude and joy as we journey with Christ, continually magnifying His name and as we magnify Him, may His love and grace fill every corner of our lives, transforming us and drawing us closer to His heart.