MARY’S SONG

When Mary was told that she was chosen among all other women to bear Jesus in her womb, she went from being unknown to being the most important and well known woman for all of history. She responds with a song of worship that is recorded in Luke.

“My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
for he has been mindfulof the humble state of his servant.”(Luke 1:46-48)

The humility of Mary is what initiates God’s move. The ‘humble state of a servant’ indicates the attitude Mary had toward God and life- one where life is defined by submission and obedience to God. Such an attitude comes by only when one makes God the passion in life. People are passionate about many things but rarely do we find people passionate about God; Mary was an exception. This attitude gets the attention of God and he becomes mindful of such a person. People strive to be noticed by important people, but to be noticed by God trumps all. And when God reaches out and blesses such a person, rejoicing of the spirit in God follows. This is different from the happiness one feels when experiencing something good or the satisfaction being obtained by accomplishing something significant. Rather, this is an experience that originates in the inner core of a person and permeates through his entire being resulting in the highest point man can reach in this life.

“From now on all generations will call me blessed,for the Mighty One has done great things for me—holy is his name.His mercy extends to those who fear him,
from generation to generation. He has performed mighty deeds with his arm.” (Luke 1:48-51)

When God begins to act on behalf of a person, amazing things follow. Everything begins with the forgiveness and mercy of God. But for God’s mercy, the world would have been destroyed many times over. Yet, he chooses to have compassion on his people and goes on to do mighty things for them. The life of a person who fears God is invariably marked by unbelievable events, which Mary acknowledges. She continues,

“He has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts.He has brought down rulers from their thronesbut has lifted up the humble.He has filled the hungry with good thingsbut has sent the rich away empty.”(Luke 1:51-53)

What follows is a reversal of circumstances and God’s justice being enforced. The proud, arrogant and rich in this world are brought down while those who are humble, submissive and poor in this world, but rich toward God are eventually lifted up, evoking praise and worship.

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