Day 14: Resistance

Mary’s song is one of radical resistance to empire and a call to remake and rebuild creation. What would our city of San Francisco look like through Mary’s eyes?

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The once-barren Hannah, afflicted by Peninnah her rival, sang this song of resistance and deliverance:

My heart rejoices in the Lord.
My strength rises up in the Lord!
My mouth mocks my enemies
because I rejoice in your deliverance.

No one is holy like the Lord—no, no one except you!
There is no rock like our God!

Don’t go on and on, talking so proudly,
spouting arrogance from your mouth,
because the Lord is the God who knows,
and he weighs every act.

The bows of mighty warriors are shattered,
but those who were stumbling now dress themselves in power!

Those who were filled full now sell themselves for bread,
but the ones who were starving are now fat from food!
The woman who was barren has birthed seven children,
but the mother with many sons has lost them all!

The Lord!
He brings death, gives life,
takes down to the grave, and raises up!

The Lord!
He makes poor, gives wealth,
brings low, but also lifts up high!

God raises the poor from the dust,
lifts up the needy from the garbage pile.
God sits them with officials,
gives them the seat of honor!

—1 Samuel 2:1-9