The Magnificat - A powerful song of a humble woman
July 1, 2023 - Saturday, 12th Week in Ordinary Time
Luke 1:46-50 and 53-55
Today, our responsorial psalm brings us the well-known song of Miriam, the mother of Jesus Christ, from the Gospel of Luke. Miriam sang this song, known as the "Magnificat," in the presence of her elderly cousin, Elizabeth, after she and the child in her womb were called blessed (Luke 1:42-45). It serves as a profound commentary on Jesus' words found in Luke's Gospel, emphasizing the importance of humility. “For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted” (Luke 14:11).
Humility, as exemplified by Mary, is not about self-abasement or considering ourselves inferior to others. Instead, it involves evaluating ourselves in the light of truth. It is recognizing that as humans, we are not gods, but rather, we have been created in the image and likeness of God. In Josef Pieper's book on the four cardinal virtues, drawing upon the teachings of Saint Thomas Aquinas, humility is described as primarily pertaining to our relationship with God. It acknowledges our dependence on Him and the necessity of submitting to His will.
Mary, in her humility, acknowledged the great things that the Lord had done in her life. Pride, on the other hand, prevents us from recognizing and proclaiming such truths. Pride stands against God, refusing to obey or serve. It fears the truth and seeks to suppress it. On the other hand, humility is fearless and sincere. It never suppresses truth but openly proclaims it. Mary's humble spirit enabled her to declare that God brings about a great reversal, where the rich are sent away empty and the mighty are brought down from their thrones (Luke 1:52-53).
Saint Paul, in his letter to the Philippians, wrote about the humility of Christ. Though He was in the form of God, He humbled Himself by becoming human and dying on the cross for our salvation. What followed? Paul writes, "God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name" (Philippians 2:9). Similarly, Mary, in her humble state, prophesied that all generations would call her blessed (Luke 1:48). The ancient Jews recognized that God shows favor to the humble and oppressed, while opposing the proud (Proverbs 3:34). The apostles James and Peter reiterated this truth, stating that God gives grace to the humble but opposes the proud (James 4:6; 1 Peter 5:5).
In the Catholic Church and the Churches of the East, the blessed Virgin Mary holds a unique and honored position. As the mother of the Incarnate God and the mother of all Christ's believers, she has received a singular grace from God. Together with the entire Church, we proclaim her blessed, acknowledging her pivotal role: "Blessed are you, holy Virgin Mary, deserving of all praise; from you rose the sun of Justice, Christ our God" (Antiphon for the Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary).
The Magnificat serves as a powerful reminder of the virtue of humility and the blessings that flow from it. Mary's song teaches us to evaluate ourselves in the light of truth, recognizing our dependence on God and submitting to His will. Through humility, we can experience exaltation and grace from God, as exemplified in the life of Jesus, Mary, and the Saints.