And Mary said: “My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord; 47 my spirit rejoices in God my savior. 48 For he has looked upon his handmaid’s lowliness; behold, from now on will all ages call me blessed. 49 The Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is his name. 50 His mercy is from age to age to those who fear him. 51 He has shown might with his arm, dispersed the arrogant of mind and heart. 52 He has thrown down the rulers from their thrones but lifted up the lowly. 53 The hungry he has filled with good things; the rich he has sent away empty. 54 He has helped Israel his servant, remembering his mercy, 55 according to his promise to our fathers, to Abraham and to his descendants forever.” 56 Mary remained with her about three months and then returned to her home.
Mary begins her song by glorifying God, acknowledging His greatness, His action in her life as the Mother of the Savior, and her joy in His saving power. This canticle echoes the prayer of Hannah, the mother of Samuel (1 Sam. 2:1-10), another woman chosen by God who gives thanks for divine intervention in her life. Mary is the first to respond in faith to the Incarnation, recognizing God’s action in her life as part of His plan for salvation. Referring to herself as God’s handmaid, Mary highlights her humility and emphasizes her low social and personal status. Her prophecy that "all ages will call me blessed" (Lk. 1:48) has been fulfilled in the veneration of Mary throughout Christian history.
Besides the biblical references such as Luke. 1:48 and Jn. 19:26-27, early Church Fathers like St. Iranaeus (ca. 130-202 AD), Tertullian (ca. 160-220 AD), and Origen (ca. 184-253 AD), who referred to Mary as "Theotokos" (God-bearer), laid the groundwork for viewing Mary as a model of faith and acknowledging her singular role in God’s divine plan through the incarnation. The veneration of Mary grew throughout the following centuries as Christians recognized her unique role in salvation history. This veneration is reflected in Marian prayers, such as Sub Tuum Praesidium (3rd century), feasts, liturgical practices, art, and hymns.
Mary attributes her blessing entirely to God’s power and holiness. In doing so she models the humility and gratitude of the ideal disciple (cf. James 1:17). She highly praises God’s mercy, recalling His fidelity to His covenant with Israel. His mercy is extended to “those who fear Him,” a phrase that denotes awe and reverence, not servile fear.
The verse "He has shown might with his arm, dispersed the arrogant of mind and heart" echoes Old Testament imagery of God’s power, such as in Exodus 15:6, where God’s “right hand” is exalted in delivering Israel. The proud are scattered, reflecting God’s justice, the mighty are diminished, and the humble and lowly are exalted. God is gracious to the poor and lowly who serve Him while challenging those who rely on their material wealth or self-sufficiency, neglecting their need for Him. The "hungry" symbolizes those who recognize their dependence on God and yearn for His righteousness (cf. Matthew 5:6: "Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be satisfied"). These individuals are "filled with good things," a reflection of God’s abundant grace.
Mary concludes by tying her personal experience of God’s action to the broader context of His intervention on behalf of Israel, His chosen people. She acknowledges God’s faithfulness and compassion rooted in His covenant love for Israel. In biblical language, to "remember" does not imply that God ever forgets; rather, it signifies God’s active fulfillment of His enduring promises, particularly those made to Abraham and his descendants. Mary’s extended stay with Elizabeth for three months likely coincides with the birth of John the Baptist (cf. Luke 1:57), reflecting her readiness to serve others as part of her response to God’s grace.
Almighty God, Mary’s song of praise reveals Your mercy and faithfulness throughout all generations. May her humility and trust inspire us to glorify You in our lives. Fill the hungry with Your grace, lift up the lowly, and help us to proclaim the greatness of Your love. This we pray through Christ our Lord. Amen!
Sources
- McSorley, Joseph. An Outline History of the Church by Centuries (From St. Peter to Pius XII). 2nd ed., B. Herder Book Co., 1944.
- Orchard, Bernard, et al. A Catholic Commentary on Holy Scripture. Feb. 1953.
- Chiu, José Enrique Aguilar, et al. The Paulist Biblical Commentary. Paulist Press, 2018.
- Faculty of the University of Navarre. The Navarre Bible: New Testament Expanded Edition. Four Courts / Scepter, 2008.
- Brown, Raymond Edward, et al. The New Jerome Biblical Commentary. Prentice Hall, 1990.
- Charpentier, Etienne. How to Read the Old Testament. Translated by John Bowden, 1981.
- Komonchak, Joseph, et al., editors. The New Dictionary of Theology.
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