Mystic Post
“I was born to be with you” – Bono, in the prayerful song, Magnificent, was inspired by the Blessed Mother.
Recently Bono, front man for the band U2, has been making the rounds on the international media circuit including The Huffington Post talking about his Christian beliefs, what religion means to him, and his fondness for the biblical passages found in the Book of Psalms.
Less talked about is Bono’s interesting attachment to the Blessed Mother. From time to time Bono makes rosary beads quite visible during his concerts and a few years ago he wrote a song based on a Bible passage known as “Mary’s Prayer”. The prayer is also referred to as “The Magnificat”. The U2 song is titled”Magnificent”.
U2 Song was inspired by the Blessed Virgin Mary according to a Rolling Stone interview. In the interview Brian Hiatt quotes Bono as saying “Magnificent was inspired by the Magnificat, a passage from the Gospel of Luke in the voice of the Virgin Mary that was previously set to music by Bach”.
“There’s this theme running through the album of surrender and devotion and all the things I find really difficult,” Bono says. “All music for me is worship of one kind or another.”
“Magnificent, Magnificent, I was born, I was born to be with you in this space and time. I was born, I was born to sing for you. I didn’t have a choice but to lift you up and sing whatever song you wanted me to. I give you back my voice from the womb my first cry, it was a joyful noise … Only love, only love can leave such a mark, but only love, only love can heal such a scar.”
The Magnificat [Latin: magnifies], also called the Canticle of Mary, is recorded in the Gospel of Luke (1:46-55). It is the Virgin Mary’s joyous prayer in response to her cousin Elizabeth’s greeting (Luke 1: 41-45). This great hymn forms part of the Church’s prayer in the Divine Office (Liturgy of the Hours). When it is recited as part of the Divine Office, it is followed by the Gloria Patri (“Glory be”). The traditional sung Magnificat is Latin plainchant. One of the hymn’s most glorious musical renditions is the version of the Magnificat by J.S. Bach.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church describes the Magnificat as “the song both of the Mother of God and of the Church” and explains this prayer’s significance:
Mary’s prayer is revealed to us at the dawning of the fullness of time. Before the Incarnation of the Son of God, and before the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, her prayer cooperates in a unique way with the Father’s plan of loving kindness: at the Annunciation, for Christ’s conception; at Pentecost, for the formation of the Church, His Body. In the faith of His humble handmaid, the Gift of God found the acceptance He had awaited from the beginning of time. She whom the Almighty made “full of grace” responds by offering her whole being: “Behold I am the handmaid of the Lord; let it be [done] to me according to Thy word”. “Fiat”: this is Christian prayer: to be wholly Gods’ because He is wholly ours.
The Prayer “Mary’s Song”
My soul magnifies the Lord,
And my spirit rejoices in God my Savior.
For He has regarded the low estate of His handmaiden,
For behold, henceforth all generations shall call me blessed.
For He who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is His name. And His mercy is on those who fear Him from generation to generation.
He has shown strength with His arm:
He has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.
He has put down the mighty from their thrones,
and exalted those of low degree.
He has filled the hungry with good things;
and the rich He has sent empty away.
He has helped His servant Israel, in remembrance of His mercy;
As He spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to His posterity forever.
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.
As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen
Lyrics to Magnificent
I was born to be with you
In this space and time
After that and ever after I haven’t had a clue
Only to break rhyme
This foolishness can leave a heart black and blue
Only love, only love can leave such a mark
But only love, only love can heal such a scar
I was born to sing for you
I didn’t have a choice but to lift you up
And sing whatever song you wanted me to
I give you back my voice
From the womb my first cry, it was a joyful noise
Only love, only love can leave such a mark
But only love, only love can heal such a scar
The Magnificent
Magnificent, oh, oh
But only love, only love unites our hearts
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