BENEDICTUS

MAGNIFICAT

NUNC DIMITIS

Anonymous (Lk-Acts written by the same person) (LkLuke (Author by traditional attribution)

Greece or Syria 85 95 AD

Structure / Outline of Luke

PROLOGUE INTRODUCTION: INFANCY NARRATIVE JESUS MESSIANIC ACTION (Galilee) JESUS WAY TO THE ASCENSION (Jerusalem)

1:1-4 1:5-2:52

3:1-9:50

9:51 24:53

Annunciation to Zechariah 1:5-23

Elizabeth conceives 1:24-25

Annunciation to Mary 1:26-38

Visitation 1:39-45
Canticle: Magnificat 1:46-56

Birth of John the Baptist 1:57-58 (short)

Birth of Jesus 2:1-7 (long)

Annunciation to Shepherds Canticle: Gloria Shepherds Discovery Response 2:8-12 2:13-14 2:15-17 2:18-20

Circumcision of John 1:59-64 (Long)

Response Canticle: Benedictus 1:65-66 1:67-79

Circumcision of Jesus 2:21 (Short)

John Growth- to wilderness 1:80

Jesus to Temple
Presentation: Simeon Canticle (Nunc Dimittis) Simeons Prophecy Annas Prophecy Jesus-growth in grace 2:22-23 2:29-32 2:33-35 2:36-38 2:39-40

Jesus among the teachers Jesus Growth in grace

2:41-50 2:52

All stand during the Magnificat, Benedictus and Nunc Dimittis All make a sign of the cross at the start of the Magnificat, Benedictus and Nunc Dimittis.

GILH
These canticles, sanctioned by age-old popular usage in the Roman Church, are expressions of praise and thanksgiving for our redemption. The antiphon for each canticle is given so suit the day, the season or the feast.
- General Instruction of Liturgy of the Hours, 50.

GILH
The antiphons for the Canticles of Zechariah and of Mary are taken, during Ordinary Time, from the Proper of Seasons if they are given there; if not they are taken from the current week and day of the psalter.
- General Instruction of Liturgy of the Hours, 119

GILH
Solemnities and feasts - Proper (if given) - Common (if not)

Memorial

- Common or current week (if not given proper antiphon)

GILH

The gospel canticles of Zechariah, of Mary and of Simeon are to be treated with the same solemnity and dignity as are customary at the proclamation of the gospel.
- General Instruction of Liturgy of the Hours, 139

Why the title?

Context of the Canticles Structure/Outline Keyword - Theology Spirituality
Why this certain canticle on specific time in the Litrugy?

Parting words

BENEDICTUS
Why do we call the Canticle of Zechariah Benedictus?
The Canticle of Zechariah has long been called Benedictus, since the early times, because its Latin translation begins with the same word (Benedictus Dominus Deus Israel). However, the canticle was originally written in Greek in the Gospel of Luke.

MAGNIFICAT
Magnificat is the first word of the song in the Latin Vulgate translation of the Bible. It is the latin for magnifies, the first word of latin the canticle or psalm of Mary expressing her joy at being chosen to be the mother of Jesus. The next words are the words for "my soul" and "the Lord." So, the first line in Luke 1:46 reads, "My soul magnifies the Lord" or in Latin, Magnificat anima mea Dominum.

Nunc Dimittis
The beautiful hymn is widely known as the Nunc dimittis after the first two words of the Latin Why the title translation, the Vulgate. ("Nunc dimittis servum Nunc Dimittis? tuum, Domine")-"Now thou dost dismiss thy servant, O Lord"

Why the title?

Context of the Canticles Structure/Outline Keyword - Theology Spirituality
Why this certain canticle on specific time in the Litrugy?

Parting words

BENEDICTUS Context:
Benedictus was the song of thanksgiving uttered by Zechariah. This happened he obeyed Gods instruction to name the child John. Thus, his punishment was lifted, and he is free to speak. His first words are in praise of God. Zechariahs release from muteness is expressed in praise.

MAGNIFICAT

Context:

The Magnificat is located in the first chapter of the gospel of Luke in verses 46 to 55. The context is that Mary is visiting her cousin, Elizabeth, who is pregnant with the future John the Baptist. When Mary comes close, Elizabeth feels John leap for joy inside of her. When Elizabeth praises Mary for her faith, Mary sings what is now known as the Magnificat in response.

Nunc Dimittis
The hymn is contextualized during Jesus presentation in the temple and part of Lukes infancy narratives. The temple in Jerusalem is the primary setting of this particular event. For the Jews, the temple of the Lord in Jerusalem is their center of life. It represented God and humanity coming together. Yet, the people in the temple were not aware that Jesus, the One in whom God and humanity reside was already present.

Why the title?

Context of the Canticles Structure/Outline Keyword - Theology Spirituality
Why this certain canticle on specific time in the Litrugy?

Parting words

BENEDICTUS

Structure:
First Section Praising God for his intervention in human history and its result

Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel; He has come to his people and set them free (redeemed). He has raised up for us a mighty savior, Born of the house of his servant David. Through his holy prophets he promised of old that he would save us from our enemies from the hands of all who hate us. He promised to show mercy to our fathers And to remember his holy covenant

BENEDICTUS
This was the oath he swore to our father Abraham: To set us free from the hands of our enemies, Free to worship him without fear, Holy and righteous in his sight All the days of our life. You, my child, shall be called the prophet of the Most High; For you will go before the Lord to prepare his way, To give his people knowledge of salvation By the forgiveness of their sins In the tender compassion of our God To shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death And to guide our feet into the way of peace.

Structure:
Second Section Describes the place of John B. in the act of God and the great day of Gods people in the coming of Christ.

BENEDICTUS

Structure:
Introductory Praise

Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel; He has come to his people and set them free. He has raised up for us a mighty savior, (raised a horn for our salvation) Born of the house of his servant David. Through his holy prophets he promised of old that he would save us from our enemies, from the hands of all who hate us.

First Strophe:

BENEDICTUS

Structure:
Second Strophe:

He promised to show mercy to our fathers And to remember his holy covenant. This was the oath he swore to our father Abraham: To set us free from the hands of our enemies, Free to worship him without fear, Holy and righteous in his sight All the days of our life.

BENEDICTUS

Structure:
Lucan Insertion

You, my child, shall be called the prophet of the Most High; For you will go before the Lord to prepare his way, To give his people knowledge of salvation By the forgiveness of their sins

BENEDICTUS
In the tender compassion of our God The dawn from on high shall break upon us (come) To shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death And to guide our feet into the way of peace.

Structure:

Conclusion

MAGNIFICAT

Structure:
Mary's Gratitude to God

My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord, my spirit rejoices in God my Savior for he has looked with favor on his lowly servant.

From this day all generations will call me blessed: the Almighty has done great things for me, and holy is his Name. He has mercy on those who fear him in every generation.

Mary Praises God for His Power, Holiness and Mercy

MAGNIFICAT
He has shown the strength of his arm, he has scattered the proud in their conceit. He has cast down the mighty from their thrones, and has lifted up the lowly. He has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent away empty.

Structure:
Mary compares the Lot of the Humble and the Proud

He has come to the help of his servant Israel for he has remembered his promise of mercy, the promise he made to our fathers, to Abraham and his children for ever.

Mary Tells Us that God Keeps His Promises

Nunc Dimittis
Lord, now you let your servant go in peace; Your word has been fulfilled:
my own eyes have seen the salvation which you have prepared in the sight of every people

Personal salvation
Dynamic movement: encompassing from personal to Others Jews have priority, but salvation is there just much for Gentiles as for Jews: Parallel beneficiaries of salvation

a light to reveal you to the nations and the glory of your people Israel

Why the title?

Context of the Canticles Structure/Outline Keywords - Theology Spirituality
Why this certain canticle on specific time in the Litrugy?

Parting words

BENEDICTUS Keywords
Blessed Come/visited Horn Prophets Promised Covenant Save Prophet of the Most High Forgiveness Dawn (anatol/rising sun) Darkness and shadow of death Peace

BENEDICTUS
Theological leading to Spirituality
 God, after so many centuries, visited his people and revealed himself to them in saving acts.  Salvation from the guilt and power of sin  God has fulfilled his promise from of old.  The tender compassion (love) of God is for his people is the reason why all these are made possible.  Those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death are given hope for a bright light will shine upon us to show us the way so that we can reach our destination safely where we can have rest and peace.

BENEDICTUS
Theological leading to Spirituality The ultimate aim of redemption from the forces of sin and darkness is that for God to be worshiped by the godly without fear. All this was accomplished when the Father sent us his only Begotten Son. But somebody would have to prepare the way for the Son that is why John the Baptist, the prophet of the Most High, heralded the coming of Christ. He made our salvation known by the forgiveness of sins.

BENEDICTUS
Theological leading to Spirituality

 As God enters human historicity, He is also entering our humanity. He wishes to dwell in us for good that is why we ought to have the best place we can offer him in our hearts.  In this case, the spirituality of waiting is highlighted.  He gives according to our needs.

BENEDICTUS THEOLOGY
The Benedictus is a Christological hymn since it concerns the Messiah. It describes the messianic salvation entirely in OT terms without appealing to any event in Jesus life. Here, we are hearing a Christian Christology that did not require and perhaps had not yet acquired a particularly Christian vocabulary wherein Jewish believers expressed themselves entirely in the language of their ancestors.

MAGNIFICAT
1. Mary's Gratitude to God

THEOLOGY

In the Magnificat, we begin with Marys gratitude indicating that her soul adores, praises, and honors the Lord. Lord. The stress is always on the Lord. Having said, My Lord. soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord, Mary immediately adds, And my spirit rejoices in God my Savior. Joy Savior. follows on praising God. God. Mary also knew by whose favor she was thus blessed. blessed. The only reason why Mary became, under God, the Mother of God is because she was so profoundly aware of being the servant of the Lord. So ends the first part of the Lord. Magnificat. Magnificat.

MAGNIFICAT
PASTORAL
1. Mary's Gratitude to God

SIGNIFICANCE:

Let us examine our consciences on how seldom we praise God. We may think of our human desire for God. honor and medals; our search for status and leisure; medals; leisure; and all the selfish pleasures for personal fame and glory. glory. God really wants us to be happy. He wants us to rejoice happy. in Him, but on His conditions: in doing His Will and not conditions: the worlds or the evil spirits or as our natural inclinations urge. What a lie to think that joy is found in urge. our self will. Hell was born of that myth. will. myth.

MAGNIFICAT
2. Mary Praises God for His Power, Holiness and Mercy

THEOLOGY

How is Gods Power? He is Powerful because He can do whatever He wills. Perhaps the clearest sign of our being just creatures, is the distance that separates what we want to do from what we can do. He had only to will our souls into existence and we were made, existing only because God wills it. Withdrawing His Will, we would be absolutely nothing again. How is Gods Holiness? He is Holy because He is Wholly Other. He alone must be; He alone cannot not be. Everything else, including ourselves, need not be. He is utterly unworldly. God does not need the world, even though there would be no world without Him How is Gods Mercy? God is Merciful for He loves the sinner even as He hates the sin. His mercy is boundless and His kindness towards the weak and fallen is common.

MAGNIFICAT
2. Mary Praises God for His Power, Holiness and Mercy

Pastoral Significance

a. On the Almighty God: In our day when power is the God: slogan inspiring fear into peoples hearts, we have to keep our balance. We are not to be impressed by human power nor do we fear what any human being can do to us. The One We adore is the only One we fear, God Almighty. As long as He is with us, who can do us harm? He will be with us all the days of our life. We have infinity at our disposal, provided we have humility and the honesty to acknowledge that God alone has the right to tell us what to do. No wonder the saints were so powerful; they had Almighty power at their disposal.

MAGNIFICAT
2. Mary Praises God for His Power, Holiness and Mercy

Pastoral Significance

b. On the Holy God: We realize that the unworldly God: are not preoccupied with things of time and space, but have their minds and hearts on eternity. Such persons are not enamored of this world, because they know the values of this world and all its vanities will soon pass away. Let us ask our Lord to enlighten us as to what it means to be unworldly. c. On the Merciful God: Let us remember that God: though we have sinned deeply and often, God loves us still. His love is greater than our sin.

MAGNIFICAT
3. Mary Compares the Lot of the Humble And the Proud

THEOLOGY

Mary compares the lot of the humble and the proud. proud. Compare these statements: He has statements: scattered the proud, He has put down the mighty, He has sent the rich away empty to He has exalted the lowly, He has filled the hungry with good things. It is not so much Mary telling us things. these things, but Jesus in her womb is speaking through His Mothers lips. When He was older and lips. began His public ministry, this is almost the theme of His Gospels. Gospels. God exalts the humble; He humble; humbles the proud. proud.

MAGNIFICAT
3. Mary Compares the Lot of the Humble And the Proud

Pastoral Significance

We are inclined to take this too mechanically and mistakenly that this reward of the humble and retribution of the proud always takes place regularly in our lives. Sadly but obviously the lives. proud get prouder and are exalted. That is why exalted. our faith in Heaven and Hell is strengthened when we read the Magnificat, and we are assured of what God eventually does. Heaven does. is the glorification of humility, and hell is the humiliation of pride. pride.

MAGNIFICAT
4. Mary Tells us that God Keeps His Promises

THEOLOGY

Mary tells us that God keeps His promises. His promises. faithfulness in the face of the disloyalty of the Jewish people over the centuries before Christ is hardly credible. credible. We reread the Old Testament. It tells of one Testament. dreary failure after another of their failure to live up to the Covenant that Yahweh had made with them; they them; constantly relapsed into idolatry and resisted Gods commands. commands. Yet, after their infidelity, murdering their Prophets, ignoring Yahwehs laws and resisting His Will, there was nevertheless a Covenant between Yahweh and His people. people.

MAGNIFICAT
4. Mary Tells us that God Keeps His Promises

Pastoral Significance

God does not fail us even when we fail Him. Him. How we need this reassurance, that in spite of our infidelities, God will not abandon us. We must remain serene and us. calm and never allow ourselves to be discouraged. discouraged. God, our God, is a faithful God. God.

Nunc Dimittis
Keywords
Servant Word --------------------------------go in peace Fulfilled

Eyes ----------------have seen the salvation In the sight of every people Light Glory -------------------------------to the nations of Israel

Nunc Dimittis
Theology
Jesus Christ, the Incarnate Son of God has been brought to the Temple. Simeon, filled with the Holy Spirit saw Jesus and recognized him as the Messiah promised to him by God. Jesus is the Lords salvation promised to Simeon. Simeon has been instructed to wait for the Anointed one before he could depart and now he is holding the Child in his arms, the redemption of God incarnate in Christ Jesus.

Nunc Dimittis
Theology
Gods salvation is one that He has prepared before all peopleand therefore it will be observed not by a few pious persons, or by the nation of Israel only, but by all peoples. Everyone will see the work of redemption .The plan of salvation embraces all mankind.

Nunc Dimittis
Theology
The people of Israel and the nations are enveloped in spiritual darkness, but the deliverance brought by God in Christ is there to dissipate the darkness. In the place of this darkness, which is the symbol of ignorance, sin and misery, this redemption will bring to all nations light, the symbol of life, growth, knowledge, and happiness. Then the nations will realize what glorious privileges God has granted to Israel in the course of the centuries, but especially through the birth of Jesus from their midst.

Nunc Dimittis
Theology
Jesus is the consolation of Simeon, his personal salvation, and so he can retire (die) in peace for Gods promise has been fulfilled. But Jesus is also a light of revelation to the Gentiles. Jesus is for all the people, even Gentiles. He is salvation meant for everyone. Through Simeons witness Jesus now shone as a light which would extend revelation to the Gentiles and glorify Gods people Israel.

Why the title?

Context of the Canticles Structure/Outline Keywords - Theology Spirituality
Why this certain canticle on specific time in the Litrugy?

Parting words

BENEDICTUS

Spirituality
In the Benedictus, we see the waiting and fulfillment of Gods promises in Jesus. John the Baptists role, on the other hand, is emphasized. He has a special role to play in the divine plan of salvation to be wrought in Christ. Whenever we meditate on this canticle we relive the story of Israel and its expectations. We who also believe that this story is encapsulated in Jesus and those expectations are fulfilled in him. And because of this, we praise God in the language of Israel when we recite the Benedictus. Let us meditate on the words we utter everytime we sing/recite this canticle.

BENEDICTUS

Pastoral Significance

The sense of liberation here should not mean so political. Above all, this should be taken chiefly in a spiritual sense (cf. v. 77-80). In this canticle, we can realize that God and humans sometimes work at cross-purposes but what God wills reaches accomplishment in the end. God never fails to fulfill his promise in the right time. The spirituality of waiting God gives what really fits us.

MAGNIFICAT

Spirituality

Nunc Dimittis
Spirituality
Waiting in Hope: Unwavering Trust in Gods PromiseSimeon lived only for the appearing of Christ, of salvation, of God. His example reminds us to live for God. Thats a clich but it means something profound. To exist, to continue, to breathe, to eat and to sleep just so you can see what God does next He hasnt seen how the Messiah will save, but he has seen the Savior. God had given him his word that he would not die until he had seen the Lords Messiah. God kept his promise. And this is the great hope for all of us, as well. When we see our salvation in Jesus we are able to face death without fear.

Nunc Dimittis
Spirituality
Surrender to the Lord: Peace- Seeing the salvation of God gives us a peace that comes from knowing that we can face death without fear; a peace that allows us to live into Gods purposes for our lives; a peace that leads us to grateful praise and joy; a peace that means we can rest from searching for God because God has brought us from death to life. Peace is not having our dreams come true. Peace is seeing Gods promises come true. Like Simeon, you have been led here today by Gods Holy Spirit. Like Simeon, as you embrace Jesus ask the Lord to dismiss you with the peace you need. Jesus was there for Simeon. Hes there for you.

Why the title?

Context of the Canticles Structure/Outline Keywords - Theology Spirituality
Why this certain canticle on specific time in the Litrugy?

Parting words

BENEDICTUS

Specific time
It is because of the nature of the song or canticle. It is a song of thanksgiving for the coming of the Redeemer. It is a hymn of praise which celebrates Gods redemption through Jesus. Some biblical scholars say that the allusion to Christs coming under the figure of the rising sun had also some influence on its adoption.

MAGNIFICAT

Specific Time
The Magnificat is still waiting for the coming of the Saviour, Jesus Christ who is the Sun of Justice. In here, Justice. the promise fulfilment has not been fulfilled. fulfilled. The people of Israel are still waiting for the arrival of Jesus, the Messiah. Messiah.

Nunc Dimittis
Specific Time
The ancient ofce of Compline derives its name from a Latin word meaning completion (completorium). It is above all a service of quietness and reection before rest at the end of the day. It is most effective when the ending is indeed an ending, without additions, conversation or noise. If there is an address, or business to be done, it should come rst. If the service is in church, those present depart in silence; if at home, they go quietly to bed.

Nunc Dimittis
Specific Time
The final act of the Office is the singing of the Song of Simeon (Nunc dimittis), with its message of release and rest. It is accompanied by an antiphon which applies its meaning specifically to night prayers. Guide us waking, O Lord, and guard us sleeping; that awake we may watch with Christ, and asleep we may rest in peace. The Nunc dimittis is the traditional Christian bedtime canticle and forms a fitting conclusion to the Office, which ends with a dismissal and with the Officiant giving a simple, familial, nonsacerdotal blessing which asks God to bless us and keep us throughout the night.

Why the title?

Context of the Canticles Structure/Outline Keywords - Theology Spirituality
Why this certain canticle on specific time in the Litrugy?

Parting words

BENEDICTUS
Parting words

Wendell Allan Marinay, OSA

MAGNIFICAT
In the light of the Magnificat: may we learn the Virgin Marys quiet peacefulness and childlike confidence in her Son, Jesus. May we realize to trust Christ, especially when things seem to go wrong; to believe in Him as Mary did, that the promises He makes to us will be fulfilled; and never to worry or be sad but always rejoice like Mary, in God, her Savior and ours, her beloved Son and our dearest Lord. Amen.

Parting words

MAGNIFICAT Parting words

Aimark Asor, OSA

Nunc Dimittis
Parting words

Robert Lee Lingo, OSA